Reducing Bias in Writing (part 3/5)

Bias may be promoted when the writer uses one group (often the writer’s own group) as the standard against which others are judged; for example, citizens of the United States. In some contexts, the term 'culturally deprived' may imply that one culture is the universally accepted standard.


The unparallel nouns in the phrase 'man and wife' may inappropriately prompt the reader to evaluate the roles of the individuals (i.e., the woman is defined only in terms of her relationship to the man) and the motives of the author. By contrast, the phrases 'husband and wife' and 'man and woman' are parallel.


Usage of 'normal' may prompt the reader to make the comparison with 'abnormal', thus stigmatizing individuals with differences. For example, contrasting lesbians with “the general public” or with “normal women” portrays lesbians as marginal to society. More appropriate comparison groups might be 'heterosexual women', 'heterosexual women and men', or 'gay men'.




From Section 3.11, APA Publication Manual (6th ed) (2010)

Reducing Bias in Writing (part 2/5)

There is a difference between “case,” which is an occurrence of a disorder or illness, and “patient,” which is a person affected by the disorder or illness and receiving a doctor’s care. Instead of “manic-depressive cases were treated,” try “the patients with bipolar disorders were treated.”

Avoid terms such as “patient management” and “patient placement” when appropriate. Usually, the treatment, not patients, is being managed; some alternatives are coordination of care, supportive services, and assistance. Also avoid the term “failed,” as in “eight participants failed to complete the Rorschach and the MMPI,” because it can imply a personal shortcoming instead of a research result; 'did not' is a more neutral choice (Knatterud, 1991).


From the APA Publication Manual (6th ed) (2010): Section 3.11, Reducing Bias in Language.