Intersectionality Reveals Combinatorial Bias Effects

Intersectionality deepens our understanding of affinity and halo bias by showing how overlapping identities—such as race, gender, LGBTQ+ status, or disability—alter the way these biases play out. In tech, a woman of color may experience compounded bias compared to a white woman, affecting how colleagues perceive her skills or cultural fit. Intersectionality highlights that affinity and halo effects can amplify or interact, resulting in more nuanced forms of inclusion or exclusion.