31.03.2023

“Neuroscience and the unconscious bias is the theme of the Conference Cycle” 

By Lais Carvalho

The Conference Cycle is an invitation to Beacon families to discuss current issues that are relevant to their children’s education. The inaugural lecture of the year was “Neuroscience and the unconscious bias”, given by Carola Videira, neuroscientist, social entrepreneur, and consultant. A researcher in violence and prejudice, master in Behavioral Neuroscience, and post-graduate in Management of Differences and Inclusive Practices, she also works in the areas of Education, Human Rights, and ESG/ASG. 

In a morning with a crowded amphitheater, Carola involved and provoked the audience to reflect on important concepts of neuroscience, showing how the mind is programmed and permeated by unconscious bias.

Behavioral neuroscience seeks to study the bases that shape people’s behavior, and through it, it is possible to understand the reasons why we act with empathy, pre-judge instinctively, or experience prejudice. She explained how our brain works and what processes take place when we feel something or encounter some new or strange situations; how these processes determine our attitudes and thoughts, and how we can transform our unconscious biases into conscious ones.

The researcher also addressed issues such as stereotypes, expectations, gender, hormones, social networks, and artificial intelligence, and, with the guests, through practical exercises, brought up the discussion about empathy and sympathy and the difference between these two concepts.

The participants had the opportunity to learn some practical advice to apply at home with their children and in their lives, and they also received indications of books, TED talks, and movies related to Neuroscience themes.

Carola will return to Beacon soon for the TeenAge Talk, where she will discuss the unconscious biases of elementary and high school teenagers in a practical way.