From Insight: The Study of Human Understanding, by Bernard Lonergan, S.J.
Bias comes in four basic forms:
DRAMATIC BIAS: This is psychic censorship brought about by the drama
of one's life. It is often repressed, but prevents the images for
creative thought to arise in the human intelligence because they are
just too painful. Examples are the discomfort of an incest victim on
her wedding night, the sexual abuse of a child, and the communal
memories of the people of Israel who have endured the Shoah.
INDIVIDUAL BIAS: This rigidity of mind closes off possibility because
"there is nothing you can teach me - my way is the solution." It
prevents the mind from entertaining new questions.
GROUP BIAS: This is individual bias gone corporate. "Our group is
number one, our company, our gender, our race, our religion, etc. It
takes the form of familiar bigotry or prejudice.
GENERAL OR THEORETICAL BIAS: This bias has no patience for research
or inquiry. It wants immediate solutions. It can be quite
anti-intellectual, seeking short term answers rather than long term
results.
This is a framework for the consideration of all types of bias
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