This Is Your Brain on Stereotypes: How Science Is Tackling Unconscious Bias by Tanya Lloyd Kyi

 

Last week over Thanksgiving Break, I read This Is Your Brain on Stereotypes: How Science Is Tackling Unconscious Bias by Tanya Lloyd Kyi. This informational book explains how to recognize stereotypes, why they can be harmful, and how to combat them. The first chapter covers the history of identifying stereotypes and some of the studies that have been done about how we categorize people. In the second chapter, the author explores how people still act with bias even when they know that all humans are equal, with a focus on racism and sexism. The third chapter describes how stereotypes affect our behavior when we apply them to our own lives. In the fourth chapter, people who have made a difference in changing society's views are the focus. The fifth chapter shares methods that scientists, activists, and organizations have used to recognize assumptions in our own minds and address discrimination. Finally, the book concludes with techniques that we can use as individuals to fight prejudice.

I thought this book was very interesting because I never really thought about the science behind stereotypes before. As I was reading, I really enjoyed how the author took a storytelling approach to sharing all the history and research on the topic. This book is definitely very timely because discrimination is something that many people face, not only in the United States, but around the world. I also appreciated that the author was hopeful that society can change by taking small steps. The back matter of the book includes suggestions for further reading, a list of sources for each chapter, and an index. This Is Your Brain on Stereotypes can be used to inspire discussions about addressing stereotypes and bias, and I would recommend it to both kids and adults alike.