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

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

We all have an unconscious bias when we're trying to understand human behavior, to look at the individual's disposition instead of the social influence in the context.

From Salon • Aug. 1, 2024

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

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell