2.1 Gender in psychology: Gender Bias

Question 1

define alpha bias

Answer 1

a tendency to exaggerate differences between men and women

the consequence is that theories devalue one gender in comparison to the other

Question 2

define androcentrism

Answer 2

centred or focused on men, often to the neglect or exclusion of women

Question 3

define beta bias

Answer 3

a tendency to ignore or minimise differences between men and women
such theories tend either to ignore questions about the lives of women, or assume that insights derived from studies of men will apply equally well to women

Question 4

define gender bias

Answer 4

the differential treatment or representation of men and women based on stereotypes rather than real differences

Question 5

define universality

Answer 5

the aim to develop theories that apply to all people, which may include real differences

Question 6

summarise gender bias in psychology

Answer 6

androcentrism - psychology and society is male-dominated, so our world view tends to be focused on men
alpha bias exaggerates the differences and results in one gender (usually women) being devalued
- for example, Freud’s psychoanalytic theory viewed femininity as failed masculinity; women had penis envy and were morally inferior
beta bias minimises differences, so women’s needs are ignored
- for example, stress research was based on male responses and it was assumed women responded in the same way; Taylor et al. argued for a different tend-and-befriend response
universality can be achieved by acknowledging differences without superiority, such as ethic of care versus justice, or fight-or-flight versus tend-and-befriend

Question 7

evaluate gender bias in psychology

Answer 7

feminist psychology - there are real differences, but social stereotypes cause more damage than any real biological differences; by identifying such stereotypes the balance can be redressed
bias in research methods - poor methodology (single-sex samples, male-only experimenters) may disadvantage one gender
reverse alpha bias - change preconceptions with research that over-values women, e.. women are better learners (Cornwell et al.)
avoiding a beta bias - equal rights may disadvantage women because they do have different needs, e.g. equal parental leave ignores special biological demands on women
assumptions need to be examined - Darwin’s theory of sexual selection has been challenged as rooted in Victorian ideas about female coyness