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Observation and reporting: a teaching case on implicit bias and decision fallacies

Deanna Malatesta,Susan Siena

Published 2024 in Journal of Public Affairs Education

ABSTRACT

This is a teaching case focused on implicit biases intended to spark meaningful discussions about challenges we face in decision-making. The case narrative centers on a young woman, Elsa, who observes a situation she believes is suspicious: a young Black man escorting two White children to his car. In Part A, Elsa debates whether to call the police and considers whether her unease is a result of her own implicit bias. Students step into Elsa’s role to evaluate her choices. Part B reveals Elsa’s decision and explores the consequences. Students delve into the broader implications of reporting suspicious activity as well as the consequences of not reporting, learning that decisions are often more multifaceted and nuanced beneath the surface. The case also provides numerous pathways for instructors to explore related topics, such as social equity in public administration and the discretion exercised by law enforcement officers.

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