Intersectionality and Bias

Intersectionality is a theoretical lens through which the dynamics of in- and exclusion are studied. It emphasizes the importance of adopting a multidimensional or intersectional view of diversity to explain how social inequality, oppression and discrimination interact. Each of us has an identity made up of multiple dimensions such as gender, sexual orientation, age, physical abilities and health, appearance, educational background, professional or personal experiences, personality, neurodiversity, mental health, race and ethnicity/ culture, beliefs, marital and parenthood choices, location and socio-economic background. These do not exist in isolation – they intersect to form the complex weave of diversity that is unique to each person. These multiple dimensions of diversity impact our experiences of bias and discrimination in complex ways. This entry explains the relationship between intersectionality and bias, showing how the former may explain the latter. As bias has, traditionally, been perceived along a single axis, intersectionality helps nuance our understanding of this cognitive mechanism and its potential discriminatory effect.