unconscious bias

American  

[uhn-kon-shuhs bahy-uhs] / ʌnˈkɒn ʃəs ˈbaɪ əs /

noun

1. implicit bias.

2. deep, general patterns and shortcuts of cognitive processing that a person is unaware of and that underlie implicit bias.

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Etymology

Origin of unconscious bias

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

She wants the government's reforms to include specific training for staff to help tackle racism and unconscious bias.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

Some hiring managers may have unconscious bias and may even be younger than you.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 28, 2026

The agency said that before its review, Cedars-Sinai “had undertaken substantial efforts to understand and mitigate the effects of discrimination and bias in healthcare,” including mandatory education for staff on unconscious bias.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2025

Like the previous study, it used a technique to hide the result from the scientists until the end, mitigating any unconscious bias.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2024

This is quite clearly the kind of unconscious bias that the IAT picks up on.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell