What best describes explicit bias?

Explicit bias refers to the conscious beliefs and attitudes that an individual holds, which are often articulated and can be readily identified by the person themselves. This bias is characterized by a deliberate and intentional expression of preference or prejudice toward certain groups or individuals based on attributes like race, gender, age, or other characteristics. Individuals are typically aware of their explicit biases, and these can influence behavior and decision-making in more overt ways.

In contrast, other aspects such as unconscious attitudes pertain more to implicit bias, which involves automatic responses that individuals may not be aware of. Similarly, a strong emotional response is not the defining characteristic of explicit bias, as explicit bias relates more to thought processes rather than emotions themselves. Lastly, a collective societal mindset describes a broader cultural perspective and does not specifically focus on individual conscious beliefs or attitudes.

Overall, the essence of explicit bias lies in its conscious nature, making it distinct from other concepts that involve unconscious or emotional components. Understanding explicit bias is essential for recognizing how such attitudes can manifest in behavior and impact interactions in various contexts, particularly in areas like immigration enforcement and law.