The subconscious mind functions based on patterns. It is always looking for patterns, more specifically it is looking for patterns that repeat. It does this because from repeating patterns it can make assumptions about the world and others.

These assumptions are used to generate quick responses to events or stimuli. These assumptions are also the foundation for our beliefs. All beliefs are a product of our subconscious mind. Yet, we consciously comprehend the majority of our beliefs and can convey what they are.

However, some of our beliefs do remain at the subconscious level. These subconscious beliefs are what can create what some call "unconscious bias". So it is possible to have such things lurking in our mental processes.

But there are a few things to keep in mind. First, since they are at the subconscious level we don't know they are there. There is no real way to directly understand them at a conscious level. What we can observe is the possible influence they have on our decisions.

The real question to ask does a person make decisions (which leads to actions) in a way that would lead one to view them as bias. We can't simply assume someone has a bias based on some arbitrary grouping (race, sex, etc).

the other thing to keep in mind is while we are driven by our beliefs, we also have rules (which are a conscious level condition), values (mixed in both minds), and triggers. All of which can override our weaker beliefs.

Thus, even if a person has some bias subconscious beliefs that does not equate to those beliefs controlling their conscious thoughts, decisions, or actions. It all depends on the entire makeup of the person's total psychology.

Which is why, even if a person has some type of unknown bias, there is no evidence that retraining programs will generate any change. For one, subconscious conditions are difficult to change and require emotional conditioning (not simply logical ideas). Second, If these bias beliefs are not translating into bias actions then it does not matter if they are changed or not.

Bottom line is we need to focus on how a person makes decisions and what actions they engage in to determine any bias perceptions they might have. Not pre-assume a bias just because of the arbitrary group we can pigeonhole them into.

It's a tactic used by proponents of identity politics to constantly draw attention to their rhetoric of oppressor v. oppressed. They are trying to tell you that you thought you were hiring the best person for the job...but, no...you didn't hire the African-American/female/LGBT because you are racist/sexist/homophobic, even if you don't realise it!

To my mind, rather than eliminating prejudice, it actually reinforces it by constantly seeing the world as what separates us, rather than championing our common humanity.

The US consciously voted for a black man twice to become the most powerful public figure in the world. In order to convince the non-whites to continue voting for the same people that failed them in the first place, racism must be seanced from the dead. Therefore, "Unconscious bias." In order to defeat this bad spirit, one must talk about the evil white man and blame him for everything wrong that the leftists are doing.

I’ll try my hand here; I understand the term to mean a pattern of thought, that one is not aware is influencing their decisions and conclusions, but exists nevertheless. Since you don’t know about it, overcoming it requires firstly going through thought experiments to “flush them out of the bushes” so to speak, wherein they may then be combatted as conscious biases.

I think another term for unconscious bias is “we don’t like the way you think”. Yes, all people have predispositions, biases, prejudices and dislikes. Some may be unconscious while most are quite conscious. This is just an attempt to get us to allow the leftists to indoctrinate us into their way of thinking. Sadly they have gotten their tentacles into our schools and our employers and we are all being sold this load of crap. Jordan Peterson has critiqued this whole concept as very unscientific and not at all established by the data in the science of psychology.

Perhaps a better term would be "unacknowledged bias" . That would tie into Cognitive Dissonance .