A Methodology for Disrupting Biased, Discriminatory, and Judgmental Thinking Through Self-Awareness and Reflection

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Session Type: Concurrent Sessions

Session Capacity: N/A

Location: N/A

Room: Yosemite B

Floor: Ballroom Level

Based on current research in neuroscience and psychology, this session presents two reflection
methodologies designed to disrupt habitual patterns of thinking and behaving. Neuroscience and
cognitive research teach that 40 to 95 percent of human behavior—how we think, what we say,
and our overall actions—is habitual. In a matter of seconds, the unconscious mind makes
determinations about someone’s guilt, innocence, values, worth, etc. The good news – habitual
unconscious thinking and behaving can be replaced with more desirable behaviors if we
consciously intercede to disrupt execution of the habitual routine.
The first model, referred to as the Take A-SECond Reflection model, for disrupting habitual
behavior and thinking is expressed mathematically as follows:
Habit Disruption/Development = Awareness +Space + Evaluation + Choice +Reflection
The process includes the steps of: (1) becoming self-aware, (2) stopping or creating space, (3)
examining or evaluating choices, (4) choosing among the options, and (5) reflecting.
The second model, referred to as the Stages of Reflection Model, suggests six stages of reflection.
At various stages of the model consideration is given to competence; considerations of difference
and choice; thinking about “internal context”; considerations of other people involved in the
representation; an examination of the biases, preferences, and structures in society; and
considerations about meta-reflection.
The ABA has challenged the legal profession to raise its level of professionalism and has required
law schools teach skills that fulfil the requirements of ABA Rule 303(b) and (c) The two reflection
models presented in this session teach techniques for helping students challenge and ameliorate
thinking and behaviors that conflict with the Rule’s objectives. The journey toward unbiased
advocacy begins with a single step. Let the first step on this journey of reforming our system begin
with changing how we think and behave as advocates and administers of justice.