Distance Bias, a Mental Shortcut, or an Opportunity?
Humans tend to pay more attention to the things in our proximity than those at a distance from us, both physically and mentally. Considering we make thousands of decisions every single day, our brains cannot give equal consideration to each individual idea we have but rather uses a mental shortcut, known as bias, to expedite action and response more quickly.
Bias in itself is neither good nor bad, it just exists. It can be a helpful tool as much as it can be hurtful, depending on the context.
The Difference Between Physical or Mental Distance Bias
Physical distance bias has been in the spotlight through remote and hybrid workplace shifts. Out of sight and out of mind is how our brains tend to be wired when prioritizing what is in our periphery over what we cannot see.
If one or two people dial into a meeting that includes a roomful of people in a boardroom physically together, often the people that are present will naturally gravitate to the people in the room instead of providing equal attention to the person on the screen. This creates an environment where people are placed into categories such as us or them and here or there, which are naturally polarizing stances.
