The efficacy of targeted interventions in reducing implicit biases and promoting inclusivity in ideological and political education

Implicit biases are often practised without conscious awareness of why individuals think or behave in particular ways, especially in the context of policy and political outlooks. Identifying and addressing such prejudices is essential for fostering inclusive thinking and accommodating diverse perspectives. This study examines the unintended consequences of bias and evaluates the effectiveness of bias-reduction practices, including awareness training, intergroup contact and systematic reflection. A mixed-method approach was employed. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires administered to 315 students, while qualitative insights were obtained from purposive interviews with 90 students. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, and thematic analysis was performed using NVivo. The findings indicate that inclusive awareness training significantly enhances inclusive thinking, while unconscious biases limit individuals' ability to accept alternative viewpoints. Interpersonal communication and cognitive flexibility were found to play important roles in reducing bias, with systematic thinking emerging as the most effective strategy. Despite these contributions, the study is limited by its reliance on self-reported data, potential cultural and contextual biases and the cross-sectional design, which restricts causal interpretation of the results.