gender and culture in psychology Flashcards
gender bias
The differential treatment or representation of men and women based on stereotypes rather than real difference
Alpha Bias
A tendency to exaggerate differences between men and women, suggesting real and enduring differences
consequences of Alpha Bias
Theories devalue one gender in comparison to the other, typically devaluing women
an example of Alpha Bias related to psychodynamic explanations for offending behavior
Freud suggested females are less moral than males because they do not experience castration anxiety, leading to a deviant superego
Androcentrism
The consequence of beta bias where all behavior is compared according to a ‘male’ standard, neglecting or excluding women
Beta Bias
A tendency to ignore or minimize differences between men and women
an example of beta bias in research
Research on fight or flight response was conducted exclusively with male animals, assuming findings apply to females
significance of universality in psychological theories
aims to develop theories that apply to all people, regardless of their differences
What does the beta bias in fight or flight research ignore
Differences between the sexes, such as speed and extent of the fight or flight response.
culture
The rules, customs, morals and ways of interacting that bind together members of a society or some other collection of people
cultural bias
The tendency to judge all cultures and individuals in terms of your own cultural assumptions
cultural relativism
The view that behaviour, morals, standards and values cannot be judged properly unless they are viewed in the context of the culture in which they originate
example of cultural relativism
Milgram’s study into obedience was replicated using Spanish students, who showed over 90% obedience, and Australian students, who showed only 16% obedience
ethnocentrism
Seeing things from the point of view of ourselves and our social group, evaluating other groups using one’s own cultural standards
What can extreme ethnocentrism lead to
Prejudice and discrimination against ‘lesser’ cultures
indigenous psychologies
The development of different groups of theories in different countries as a method to counter ethnocentrism
example of ethnocentrism
Ainsworth’s Strange Situation, which deemed German mothers as cold based on their children’s reactions
emic approach
An approach that emphasises the uniqueness of each culture
etic approach
An approach that seeks universal aspects of behaviour
How can cultural bias be avoided in research
By using indigenous researchers in each cultural setting
