implicit bias
3 synonyms and 2 antonyms for implicit bias, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An attitude or stereotype about a group of people that affects someone's judgements and actions without them being aware of it or intending it.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
unconscious bias
hidden bias
implicit prejudice
Antonyms
explicit bias
conscious prejudice
How to use implicit bias
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
unconscious or implicit bias
implicit bias training
implicit bias in hiring
Common in workplace training, HR policy, academic psychology and journalism.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between implicit bias and explicit bias?
Explicit bias is a belief a person knows they hold and could state out loud, such as openly preferring one group over another. Implicit bias operates below awareness and can contradict what the person sincerely believes, which is why people are often surprised by their own behaviour.
Does having implicit bias make someone racist?
Not in the ordinary sense of the word. Implicit bias describes automatic associations picked up from surroundings, culture and media rather than a chosen belief; the concern is with the decisions it shapes, not with labelling the individual.
Can implicit bias be measured?
Researchers use reaction-time tests such as the Implicit Association Test, alongside audit studies of real hiring and lending decisions. The tests are widely used but their reliability for judging any single individual is debated.
