Providing unbiased services is explicitly or implicitly mandated or recommended in codes of ethics and position statements in many fields, including those that involve the provision of breastfeeding support. For example, IBCLCs are ethically required to “present information without personal bias” and to “treat all clients equitably without regard to age, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, religion, or sexual orientation.” Avoiding bias is not an act of will power or the natural result of “good character.” It requires ongoing development and application of specialized knowledge and skill. The field of cognitive psychology offers a wealth of research regarding bias. This session provides an overview of 1) the ethical call for the avoidance of bias by lactation specialists, 2) the nature of cognitive bias, 3) three bias-related cognitive processes that can unconsciously influence the thinking and behavior of lactation specialists, 4) risk factors for acting on bias, and 5) five strategies that can help lessen bias in breastfeeding support services.
Learning Objectives:
Objective 1 - Define cognitive bias
Objective 2 - List three bias-producing cognitive processes
Objective 3 - Describe five strategies to lessen bias in breastfeeding support services
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