Explicit Bias is?

• A. Conscious bias.
• B. Unconscious bias.
• C. A bias that cannot be changed.
• D. A bias that only affects ethical judgments.

Answer: (A)

Explicit bias means bias you are aware of—the attitudes or beliefs about people or groups that you can name and reflect on. It’s a conscious stance you endorse or oppose, and you can decide how (or whether) to act on it. In forensic practice, this matters because, even when a person can articulate their views, those views can still influence interpretations if not checked. Recognizing explicit bias allows you to counter it by following objective protocols, seeking independent review, and using structured decision-making processes that emphasize the evidence over personal beliefs. This stands in contrast to unconscious bias, which operates outside awareness and can affect judgments even when explicit beliefs don’t endorse prejudice. The notion that explicit bias cannot be changed is incorrect; conscious beliefs can be updated or mitigated through education, reflection, and deliberate procedural safeguards. And explicit bias isn’t limited to ethical judgments; it can color a range of decisions, including how evidence is interpreted or how probabilities are weighed.