1. Gender Bias - Evaluation

Question 1

Consequence

• Double Whopper

Answer 1

Gender-biased research can create misleading assumptions about female behaviour, fail to challenge negative stereotypes and validate discriminatory practices. By using male behaviour as “standard”,
female behaviour such as pre-menstrual syndrome or postnatal depression is seen as abnormal.
Psychological research may therefore (unknowingly) provide a way for a male dominated society to
deny women opportunities within the workplace or in wider society. Therefore, gender bias in
research is not just a methodological problem but may have damaging consequences for women in
the real world.

Question 2

Solution

• Hamburger

Answer 2

Feminist commentators have suggested a number of research criteria to ensure non-gender biased research investigations. Worrell (1992) proposed using alternative methods of inquiry to explore the
personal lives of women, such as considering women in the natural settings in which they function,
collaborating with research participants to explore personally relevant variables and studying diverse
samples. This helps to reduce investigator biases that might affect female participants behaviour
producing more valid data.

Question 3

Consequence

• Double Whopper

Answer 3

Gender bias may occur in the research process as a result of sexism. There is a lack of women who are appointed at senior research levels. This means that female concerns may not be reflected in th
research questions that are asked. Denmark et al (1988) argued that this means that psychology me
be guilty of supporting a form of institutional sexism that creates bias in theory and research.

Question 4

Solution

• Double Whopper

Answer 4

Recognition of the effect of a researcher’s values and assumptions on their work is leading to
increased reflexivity. Dambrin and Lambert (2008) in their study of the lack of women in executive
positions in accountancy firms included reflection on how their gender-related experiences influence
apper their reading of events. This shows that academics are embracing their biases to understand how they are involved in the research process. Such reflexivity is an important development in
psychology and may lead to greater awareness of the role of personal biases in shaping research in
the future.

Question 5

Solution

• Hamburger

Answer 5

Feminist psychology accepts that there are biological differences between males and females but it looks at how to reduce these differences. Eagly (1978) claims that females are less effective leaders
than males. The research concluded that there needed to be the development of training
programmes to reduce the lack of female leaders in the world. This demonstrates how recognising
gender bias can improve individuals’ experiences.