Racism, bias, and discrimination

collage of Black man in wheelchair, Asian American mother and daughter, and Black woman holding a rainbow flag

Bias is a partiality, an inclination or predisposition for or against something. The unjust and differential treatment of the members of different age, gender, racial, ethnic, religious, national, ability identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, and other groups at the individual level and the institutional/structural level that favor certain groups over others and has the effect of restricting opportunities for other groups.

Discrimination is usually the behavioral manifestation of prejudice and therefore involves negative, hostile, and injurious treatment of the members of rejected groups.

Racism is a form of prejudice that generally includes negative emotional reactions to members of the group, acceptance of negative stereotypes, and racial discrimination against individuals; in some cases it leads to violence.

Adapted from the APA Dictionary of Psychology definitions of bias, racism, and discrimination

Resources from APA

A counseling session showing two people seated and facing each other.

Building resilience in marginalized patients

Shufang Sun studies minority stress, early adversity, and adapting mindfulness to empower patients

people gathered at memorial for victims of Bondi Beach antisemitic attack

How to talk to children about antisemitism

Creating space for discussions teaches children that hateful behavior is something families and communities can and should address together

Jury selection in the Black Lives Matter era

Trial exclusion can lead to racial discrimination and biased decision-making

APA Resolution on Antisemitism (2026)

These guidelines capture optimal performance expectations for psychologists who supervise and those preparing to supervise

More resources about racism

What APA is doing

Advocacy

Race, ethnicity, and religion

APA Services advocates for the equal treatment of people of all races, religions, and ethnicities, as well as funding for federal programs that address health disparities in these groups.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion

Inclusive language guidelines

APA’s commitment to addressing systemic racism

APA’s action plan for addressing inequality

APA’s apology to people of color in the U.S.

Confronting past wrongs and building an equitable future