Unconscious bias refers to the automatic, implicit associations we make about people without conscious awareness or intention. These associations lead to snap judgments and assumptions that can negatively impact others. Riddles can be an enlightening and thought-provoking way to uncover our unconscious biases. Here are 57 riddles that illuminate different aspects of unconscious bias, along with explanations of the answers.
General unconscious bias riddles
Riddle 1
I’m not something you think through, more something you just do. Unchecked, I cause great harm, although I may feel true. What am I?
Answer: Unconscious bias.
Riddle 2
I am a threatening stranger you meet on the street, the reason a resume gets tossed in the delete bin. I make snap decisions on another’s potential, though I myself have not lived in their skin. What am I?
Answer: Unconscious bias.
Riddle 3
I am a set of glasses you didn’t know you wore, that shape your impressions without consent. I filter and skew all that you see, you look right through me as if I weren’t. What am I?
Answer: Unconscious bias.
Riddle 4
I am the voice inside your head, that makes quick assumptions of strangers instead. I categorize and label people at first sight, despite not really knowing if I’m right. What am I?
Answer: Unconscious bias.
Riddle 5
I’m the gut reaction that lives inside you, the subtle suspicion of those who seem askew. I make you question another’s true intention, despite no evidence or prior infraction. What am I?
Answer: Unconscious bias.
Gender bias riddles
Riddle 6
Though she ranks top of her class with flying colors, in STEM you assume she won’t go far. For a “brilliant mind” you picture a man, this bias you don’t think twice about, if you can. What is this?
Answer: Gender bias/unconscious bias against women.
Riddle 7
I make you doubt a woman’s potential, her skills and her competence are only rental. I whisper “she can’t handle a full career,” though I myself have no grounds to make such a smear. Who am I?
Answer: Unconscious gender bias.
Riddle 8
You frown when a father takes paternity leave, though a mother’s absence you don’t perceive. You assume childcare is just for moms, this notion unfairly sets working dads up for loss. What is this bias called?
Answer: Unconscious gender/parenting bias.
Riddle 9
For an executive job she’s certainly able, but you picture a man sitting at the table. You think leadership requires masculine traits, though proven false, this bias still dictates. What is this?
Answer: Unconscious gender bias.
Riddle 10
When speaking with passion she’s seen as shrill, while for men it shows leadership skill. When angry he’s powerful, she’s hysterical, for identical behaviors, double standards illogical. What causes this?
Answer: Unconscious gender bias.
Racial bias riddles
Riddle 11
Based only on sight, I cause suspicion and fright. I make sales clerks trail them in stores, though they’ve not stolen; judgment pours. What am I?
Answer: Racial profiling/unconscious racial bias.
Riddle 12
I am a set of tinted glasses preset, that distorts how an applicant is assessed. Same resume, different name up top, produces results without basis or cause. What am I?
Answer: Unconscious racial bias.
Riddle 13
I am the reason they grab their purse tighter, and why the bartender takes forever to serve her. I make you think that he’s up to no good, when he’s just out walking like all people should. What am I?
Answer: Unconscious racial bias/racism.
Riddle 14
You see my work when a driver is pulled over, when ability and skill are passed over. I lurk in the minds of those hiring, churning out reasons “they” can’t be inspiring. What am I?
Answer: Unconscious racial bias.
Riddle 15
I make you think their neighborhood is scary, that the street is too dangerous to walk down or tarry. You believe that people there can’t thrive, though you know nothing of their lives. What am I?
Answer: Unconscious racial bias.
Age bias riddles
Riddle 16
Though wise, seasoned, and knowledgeable they are, you think their abilities now subpar. Simply due to number of years alive, you count them out though they’ve much left to give. What is this?
Answer: Ageism/unconscious bias against older people.
Riddle 17
You think they’re right out of school and wet behind the ears, though they could teach you wisdom beyond their years. Because of their youth you distrust their call, experience matters not at all. What is this notion?
Answer: Unconscious bias against young people.
Riddle 18
She’ll get compassion and warmth, it’s assumed, while his potential is quietly presumed. For the very same role and same pay, experiences bias in different ways. What causes this?
Answer: Unconscious age and gender bias.
Riddle 19
When an older worker trains those younger, their competence quickly comes under. Though they built this job from floor up, now it’s assumed their skills are corrupt. What causes this flip?
Answer: Unconscious age bias.
Riddle 20
They sowed seeds of wisdom their whole life through, yet now you think their counsel isn’t true. You favor innovation over tried and true, failing to see both have value to you. What bias causes this skew?
Answer: Unconscious bias against older people.
Weight bias riddles
Riddle 21
You think their motivation is really low, that with food they have no self-control. You assume that laziness is their vice, passing on those who don’t fit your vision of “nice.” What is this called?
Answer: Unconscious weight bias.
Riddle 22
On first sight, you think that they are dim, that an active mind they cannot possess within. You equate their weight with overindulgence, not stopping to think your logic makes little sense. What is this?
Answer: Unconscious weight bias.
Riddle 23
I convince you they have poor willpower, that on junk food they probably shower. I make you think they’re not active sorts, I stereotype and judge on size alone. What am I?
Answer: Unconscious weight bias.
Riddle 24
I am the reason for exclusion from rides, judgmental stares and unsolicited dieting guides. I cause doctors to ignore symptoms, assume weight the cause, though unproven. What am I?
Answer: Unconscious weight bias.
Riddle 25
You see their weight as something within their control, so for physical tasks you think them wholly unsold. Your bias leaves little room for genetics’ role, or challenges outside their control that took their toll. What is this notion?
Answer: Unconscious weight bias.
Disability bias riddles
Riddle 26
You think that their potential is less than the rest, that they’re defined wholly by what renders them oppressed. You make assumptions on what they can achieve, underestimating their goals, though you should believe. What is this called?
Answer: Unconscious bias against disabled people/ableism.
Riddle 27
On first sight, you view them as weak and in need, underestimating their talents, though guaranteed they’ll succeed. You question if they can handle the demands, not knowing you should think otherwise, and lend a hand. What causes this?
Answer: Unconscious bias against disabled people.
Riddle 28
You think that accommodations give them advantage, though it helps create opportunity from happenstance. You fail to see they’re just evening the score, you think it’s favor, though inclusion’s what adaptations are for. What is this perspective called?
Answer: Unconscious bias/ableism.
Riddle 29
Of what they can do, you have limited views, you see “disability” but not the person’s wholeness of hues. You define them by just one piece of their being, when you should appreciate their humanity is far-reaching. What causes this?
Answer: Unconscious bias against disabled people.
Riddle 30
You doubt that they should be in your class, thinking disruption and distraction they could cause. You fail to see value in diversity, when variety gives everyone an ability to harness. What is this failure called?
Answer: Unconscious bias/ableism.
LGBTQ+ bias riddles
Riddle 31
You assume that their identity’s just a phase, distrusting those not tightly bound in your ways. You diminish their relationships and loves they feel, not believing them to be earnest and real. What causes this?
Answer: Unconscious anti-LGBTQ+ bias.
Riddle 32
You think that they should not raise kids of their own, believing difference will cause damage alone. You fail to see that good parenting’s not tied to gender choice, that love and care make a family cohere. What is your mistake?
Answer: Unconscious anti-LGBTQ+ bias.
Riddle 33
You ask questions of intimacy you shouldn’t dare, pry into bedrooms though it’s none of your affairs. You doubt identities and relationships valid, despite knowing nothing of lives they have lived. What causes this?
Answer: Unconscious anti-LGBTQ+ bias.
Riddle 34
You assume their identity’s for attention’s sake, not believing lives outside norms valid to make. You think nonconformity strange and out of order, when you should appreciate lives have infinite border. What’s your error here?
Answer: Unconscious anti-LGBTQ+ bias.
Riddle 35
You think certain jobs aren’t meant for their kind, you doubt they possess the skills to ever shine. You fail to see beyond their difference you fixate on, not judging them on merits appropriate. What causes this unjust fate?
Answer: Unconscious anti-LGBTQ+ bias.
Attractiveness bias riddles
Riddle 36
I make you think they lack brains and skill, that surface alone can potential fulfill. I cause you to doubt and undermine, to listen less and be far less inclined. What am I?
Answer: Unconscious attractiveness bias.
Riddle 37
You think their success was because of their face, not effort or talents that got them in place. You downplay their hard work and think them less real, you overvalue beauty’s power to appeal. What causes this unfair deal?
Answer: Unconscious attractiveness bias.
Riddle 38
You see plainness as a problem to overcome, so hints for “improving” from you readily come. You focus on flattery, not substance or skill, believing surface most important, when deeper qualities good leaders instill. What is this bias called?
Answer: Unconscious attractiveness bias.
Riddle 39
You think that they don’t have good heads on their shoulders, that surface alone earned them their successes and accolades. You dismiss effort and talents that got them thus far, overvaluing what is shallow, which inherently is not par. What is this?
Answer: Unconscious attractiveness bias.
Riddle 40
You think because of their unpleasing covering, that gifts inside are missing and undiscovering. You underestimate their capacity and mind, simply by surface judgments you shouldn’t bind. What causes this unfair assigning?
Answer: Unconscious attractiveness bias.
Height bias riddles
Riddle 41
I convince you they don’t have capacity to lead, that they fall short in meeting others’ needs. That for power and esteem loftiness is key, when heart and mind should be what others see. What am I?
Answer: Height bias/unconscious bias against short people.
Riddle 42
Though matching in skill, experience and thought, his potential is deemed greater than what she’s got. Simply for a few more inches higher off the ground, to her leadership opportunity’s less abound. What causes this unfair decision when doling out positions?
Answer: Unconscious height bias.
Riddle 43
You see smallness as something that equates to weakness, not believing great strength can come in meekness. You think their voice carries less weight, when capabilities aren’t tied to size and height. What’s the term for this unjust belief?
Answer: Unconscious height bias.
Riddle 44
You doubt they can protect, defend and uplift, that bigger is better when standing up against strife. Though heart and courage aren’t measured in feet, you fail to believe they have capacity to meet. What is this called?
Answer: Unconscious height bias.
Riddle 45
They must be self-conscious is what you proclaim, when you should be checking assumptions you aim. You project your bias onto how they feel, when they’re probably secure in who they are for real. What causes your false assumption and unnecessary shame?
Answer: Unconscious height bias.
Beauty and age bias riddles
Riddle 46
For leadership potential, you see she’s not able, thinking attractiveness a requirement to be at the table. You fail to see value in wisdom accrued, unconsciously thinking that beauty’s power is shrewd. What are your errors?
Answer: Unconscious bias based on age and attractiveness.
Riddle 47
You think with long life, energy’s been depleted, though you should know talents aren’t defeated. You fail at valuing what experience can lend, you think elder’s counsel is a dead end. What is this bias called, my friend?
Answer: Unconscious age bias.
Riddle 48
While older, you think their work lacks direction and grit, that it’s less sharp and ambitious compared to the young’s wit. But creativity and drive aren’t owned by the youth, and experience often reveals greater truth. What’s this bias uncouth?
Answer: Unconscious age bias.
Riddle 49
You think elder’s skills have become entirely diminished, that lines on their faces reflect career’s finished. But you cannot measure capacity from sun on one’s face, and should appreciate gifts lived years can embrace. What is this biased disgrace?
Answer: Unconscious age bias.
Riddle 50
She led with grace for numerous years, but now fills you with misplaced fear. You think attractiveness equates to competence, an unfair notion that makes little sense. What is this called, in essence?
Answer: Unconscious bias based on age and beauty.
Religion bias riddles
Riddle 51
You see clocks needing adjusting, “odd” customs, and food prep disgusting. You think beliefs unlike yours lack rhyme and reason, not knowing diversity’s what makes life seasoning. What’s this biased view called, for no good reason?
Answer: Unconscious religious bias.
Riddle 52
You think accommodation causes disruption alone, though inclusion lets talents enrich and hones. You see religion as lowering company dress code, when allowing expression says all have potential to unload. What’s the term for this biased wrong road?
Answer: Unconscious religious bias.
Riddle 53
You doubt they possess skills to get jobs done, believing fervent faith makes them high-strung. But devotion in one sphere need not impair another, and you shouldn’t judge on spiritual belief of a sister or brother. What is this unfair blunder?
Answer: Unconscious religious bias.
Riddle 54
You think they’ll insist you follow their strong conviction, when you should know pushing beliefs is not their affliction. You shouldn’t assume they’ll impose their ways, good co-workers respect differences, including faith, always. What’s the bias you’re conveying?
Answer: Unconscious religious bias.
Riddle 55
Headscarves and beards fill you with suspicion, you see different clothing as strange and fruition. But attire oft reflects culture and tradition, not extremism or harmful position. What’s this unjustified rendition?
Answer: Unconscious religious bias.
Education bias riddles
Riddle 56
No degree from fancy college, you supply meaning haughty. You think them lacking in knowledge and thought, you unduly value the prestige credentials brought. When skills aren’t just from schooling got, what’s this biased plot?
Answer: Unconscious education bias.
Riddle 57
Their skills surely can’t be up to snuff, you think without elite college quite rough. But the best schools don’t hold the best minds, and real world smarts arise from all kinds. When you judge on mere names assigned, what is this unjust find?
Answer: Unconscious education bias.
Conclusion
These riddles shine a light on just some of the many unconscious biases that can lurk below awareness. But increased insight into what fuels unfair judgments can help override faulty thinking. While long-held associations won’t vanish overnight, uncovering our biases is the essential first step on the path to greater equity, inclusion and understanding.
