A Reflection on Nature vs. Nurture

When I think about bias—implicit and explicit—I always connect it to the nature vs. nurture debate. Are we born with bias, or do we learn it? Is it instinct, or is it something society teaches us?

I reflect on this often because bias isn’t just something we study—it’s something we live. I see it in small moments, like when I automatically assume something about a person before I even talk to them. I see it in big moments, like when someone makes a quick judgment about another person based on their appearance, gender, or background.

For example, have you ever met someone and felt an instant reaction—good or bad—before they even said a word? Maybe you saw them and assumed they were friendly, intelligent, or untrustworthy just based on their face, clothes, or the way they walked. That’s implicit bias at work. It’s not something we choose—it just happens in our brains, shaped by past experiences, media, and cultural messages.

Then there’s explicit bias, which is more intentional. This is when people openly express stereotypes or prejudices. It’s the difference between thinking something unconsciously and acting on it knowingly. A person might say, “I don’t think women are good at math” or “I only trust certain types of people.” Those are explicit biases—conscious beliefs that have been reinforced by culture, upbringing, or personal experiences.

So where does this all come from? To answer that, we have to look at both nature (how our brains work) and nurture (what we are taught).

Bias isn’t just a psychological concept—it’s a lived experience. The more we reflect on where our assumptions come from, the better we can challenge them. And maybe, just maybe, we can start rewriting the narratives that shape the way we see each other.