Gender

Question 1

Define universality

Answer 1

the idea that any conclusions drawn about an underlying characteristic of human beings can be applied to all people, anywhere, regardless of time or culture i.e. despite differences of experience and upbringing.

Question 2

Define bias

Answer 2

When considering human behaviour, bias is a tendency to treat one individual or group in a different way from others, which creates a distorted view of the world.

Question 3

Define gender bias

Answer 3

a type of bias where psychological research or theory may offer a view that does not justifiably represent the experience of men or women (usually women). It is the differential treatment or representation of men and women based on stereotypes rather than real differences.

Question 4

Define alpha bias

Answer 4

Psychological theories/research that over exaggerate or overestimate differences between the sexes. Such difference are typically presented as real and enduring, fixed and inevitable. They may enhance or undervalues member of either sex, but typically undervalue females.

Question 5

Define beta bias

Answer 5

Psychological theories/research that ignore, minimise or underestimate differences between the sexes. This often occurs when females are not a part of the research process and then it is assumed that research findings apply equally to both sexes.

Question 6

Define androcentrism

Answer 6

Male centred. When research is done with only male samples, ‘normal’ behaviour is judged according to a male standard. This means that female behaviour that deviates from this is often judged to be ‘abnormal’, ‘different’, inferior, or ‘deficient’ by comparison.