WGU D565 PA | Analyzing Bias, Cultural Awareness, and Ethics in a Case Study | 2025
Update with complete solutions.
Analyzing Bias, Cultural Awareness, and Ethics in a Case Study
1. Identifying Implicit and Explicit Biases
There are several examples of implicit and explicit biases in the study
regarding freedom of speech and universities. The first example of explicit
bias (conscious and intentional biased and prejudiced acts towards others)
is when Payton Head was “taunted with racial slurs” (Ethics, N.d.). An
example of implicit bias (unconscious biased ideas about others) in the
case study was the professor from Yale, Erika Christakis, writing in
opposition to Yale’s email providing advice on “racially insensitive
costumes to avoid Halloween, including costumes featuring black face, or
mock Native American headdresses” (Ethics, N.d.). Christakis believed
that college was infringing on freedom of speech and a child’s ability to be
obnoxious, inappropriate, or provocative.
1a.
The first example of bias I found is explicit because it was a deliberate,
racially motivated attack on a person of color. The student, Payton Head, was
verbally harassed with known racial slurs towards her. This was an
intentional action to inflict harm towards Head to intimidate and make the
offender’s racial bias towards her known. The second example, Christakis’s
opposition to Yale’s interview, could be viewed as implicit because she is not
intentionally trying to harm others by defending a student’s right to freedom
of speech and expression, even if it may be offensive to others. Christakis
likely does not understand the potential harm that could come from defending
this form of freedom of speech.
2. How do these biases affect the recipients
The harm inflicted on both recipients of these types of biases is
significant. Payton Head, for example, is likely to feel unsafe on her
campus, which is essential for students to perform well in their
, academic studies while in college. Head was the president of the
Missouri Student Association and may fear pursuing other leadership
positions in her educational and professional careers if it results in
further intentionally targeted attacks. Payton may not feel adequately
prepared to pursue these leadership positions due to her race, as she is
targeted based on her identity. The recipients of Christakis’s implicit
bias, those who read or heard her opposition, may feel distrust in their
faculty. This can result in students leaving college or not taking their
classes, affecting their studies and potentially limiting opportunities
that may arise from attending a prestigious college like Yale, if they
were to leave because of Christakis’s actions. Further, other students
may feel emboldened by Christakis’s words and continue dressing in
insensitive costumes or potentially elevate their racially insensitive
views. This can result in the recipients feeling increasingly less safe
while attending Yale.
3. How do these biases affect the actors
These biases were both very public actions and will follow the
actors for the rest of their careers. In Christakis’s case, she is likely
going to have a harder time finding other teaching positions because of
her public views about racially insensitive Halloween costumes.
Christakis will struggle to build relationships with her students from
diverse cultural backgrounds due to her implicit biases. Having the
ability to build relationships with students is essential for teachers and
professors at every educational level to educate students successfully.
In the case of the student who taunted Payton Head, although the study
does not explicitly state the punishment the student faced, he was likely
removed from the school. This eliminates the opportunity to complete
his education at the university level and build a career with the
education he would have received otherwise. In future jobs, unless the
student completely changes his views and actions, he will continue to
Update with complete solutions.
Analyzing Bias, Cultural Awareness, and Ethics in a Case Study
1. Identifying Implicit and Explicit Biases
There are several examples of implicit and explicit biases in the study
regarding freedom of speech and universities. The first example of explicit
bias (conscious and intentional biased and prejudiced acts towards others)
is when Payton Head was “taunted with racial slurs” (Ethics, N.d.). An
example of implicit bias (unconscious biased ideas about others) in the
case study was the professor from Yale, Erika Christakis, writing in
opposition to Yale’s email providing advice on “racially insensitive
costumes to avoid Halloween, including costumes featuring black face, or
mock Native American headdresses” (Ethics, N.d.). Christakis believed
that college was infringing on freedom of speech and a child’s ability to be
obnoxious, inappropriate, or provocative.
1a.
The first example of bias I found is explicit because it was a deliberate,
racially motivated attack on a person of color. The student, Payton Head, was
verbally harassed with known racial slurs towards her. This was an
intentional action to inflict harm towards Head to intimidate and make the
offender’s racial bias towards her known. The second example, Christakis’s
opposition to Yale’s interview, could be viewed as implicit because she is not
intentionally trying to harm others by defending a student’s right to freedom
of speech and expression, even if it may be offensive to others. Christakis
likely does not understand the potential harm that could come from defending
this form of freedom of speech.
2. How do these biases affect the recipients
The harm inflicted on both recipients of these types of biases is
significant. Payton Head, for example, is likely to feel unsafe on her
campus, which is essential for students to perform well in their
, academic studies while in college. Head was the president of the
Missouri Student Association and may fear pursuing other leadership
positions in her educational and professional careers if it results in
further intentionally targeted attacks. Payton may not feel adequately
prepared to pursue these leadership positions due to her race, as she is
targeted based on her identity. The recipients of Christakis’s implicit
bias, those who read or heard her opposition, may feel distrust in their
faculty. This can result in students leaving college or not taking their
classes, affecting their studies and potentially limiting opportunities
that may arise from attending a prestigious college like Yale, if they
were to leave because of Christakis’s actions. Further, other students
may feel emboldened by Christakis’s words and continue dressing in
insensitive costumes or potentially elevate their racially insensitive
views. This can result in the recipients feeling increasingly less safe
while attending Yale.
3. How do these biases affect the actors
These biases were both very public actions and will follow the
actors for the rest of their careers. In Christakis’s case, she is likely
going to have a harder time finding other teaching positions because of
her public views about racially insensitive Halloween costumes.
Christakis will struggle to build relationships with her students from
diverse cultural backgrounds due to her implicit biases. Having the
ability to build relationships with students is essential for teachers and
professors at every educational level to educate students successfully.
In the case of the student who taunted Payton Head, although the study
does not explicitly state the punishment the student faced, he was likely
removed from the school. This eliminates the opportunity to complete
his education at the university level and build a career with the
education he would have received otherwise. In future jobs, unless the
student completely changes his views and actions, he will continue to
