How do you avoid showing your bias towards one side in a conflict?

To appear completely impartial when you have a strong bias towards something or somebody it is not easy. How do you behave in order to not raise suspicions of bias?





Thanks for your answer.|||Being unbiased is overrated, I believe that people need to show huge support towards the facts in any given instance. Having a bias is not a bad thing as long as your opinion is not misplaced. You can hold a bias and still be open minded toward whatever opposition you may be dealing with. It is not too much to ask that the opposing argument be able to validate itself.|||It's hard to explain this, and the only thing I can think of is just, don't be bias. It's easy as that. Re-read what you've written, or think before you speak. If it sounds like you're making someone else sound bad, then revise what you're about to say or write.





Like, if you're saying "Jason is an a*s" that's an obvious bias, but so is "Jason is hot." or "Jason is a very well behaved student." All you can reall say is "Jason is a student."





Usually unbiased things sound emotionless, in my opinion.|||It's simply like a debate in school. Just overlook BOTH sides of the conflict. We held a debate on clear-cutting a few years ago in Science class. You were either for clear-cutting or you were against it. The point of the debate was to win over your side by organizing a list of questions to ask the other team, as well as questions the other team might ask you. That way, you'll be able to answer them without "taking sides".





It takes practice and it definitely varies with different people. Some people just call you bias to start something up. Just don't take it too literally.





Hope this helps. :)|||be completely non reactive to both sides. if you fell very strong about something and feel you are going to give yourself away excuse yourself and go to the bathroom to clear your head. If you can't then you will have to Just think about something else to distract you.





If one side is bullying the other side do step in however to rectify the situation. especially if it is the opposite side to your bias.|||That is so hard to do, often the other side will use an argument that is so biased and illogical that you will counter with your argument and you lose the point you were debating.


An example is the present Palestinian/Israel situation.


Hamas has attacked Israel. Israel has now attacked Hamas.


Both sides have faults and both sides have innocent victims and


not so innocent parties.


Sometimes you need to draw a line under the past and start again to reach a peaceful Solution.


Often drawing that line is the hardest thing to do.|||Oh, this is a difficult situation, and at times having an opinion just isn't appropriate.


If you're stuck in the middle of something and you don't want to be, I'd just come out and say it. "I'm sorry, but I don't feel comfortable voicing my opinion." Or, "I'd really hate to take a side."


Any reasonable person will respect your decision to not offend anyone.





:D I hope I could help.|||Listen to both sides with equal consideration.


Listen actively, w/o many interruptions and don't ever, at any point, correct anyone.


Just listen and pretend to consider the facts.





if you are making a decision that both parties are going to follow, you need to excuse yourself and give the party you are biased against a fair chance.





It is morally and ethically wrong to pretend to be unbiased if you carry the burden of judgement.|||I avoid using words like I, we, or our. I instead refer to 'those who' or 'the people who...'. For example, if it's a debate about abortion, I would say something like, "those who are pro-choice tend to believe...," or "those who are pro-life tend to feel...," etc.|||You show understanding of the side you're against, and good things about it. You'll come to a conclusion, but without weighing out each side, then you have your bias.


Don't be opinionated; an opinion is just a bias.|||Wow! That's tough! Above all, keep a straight (poker) face. Do not raise your eyebrows or smile or show any emotion in your face. Keep your voice level...no emphasis on anything you say to give yourself away. Then try to get away from the situation as quickly as possible. I'm rooting for ya!|||make generalizations.





for example, are you democrat or republican?


--oh I don't vote.





do you like his girlfriend?


--i can always find something good in everybody.





am I fat?


-everybody seems to have a negative view about themselves.