gender bias Flashcards
what is gender bias?
psychological research/theories that don’t represent the experience/behaviour of men or women, usually women.
what does universality mean?
-underlying characteristic of human beings that can be applied to all
what conclusions can be drawn from universality?
can be applied to everyone, regardless of culture, time.
what is alpha bias?
A difference between men and women, views of a certain gender may be enhanced or undervalued. (usually women)
what is an example of alpha bias?
sociobiological theory of relationship formation, explains human sexual attraction and behaviour through ‘survival efficiency’-EG, in males interest to impregnate many women to increase chance of genes being passed on
alpha bias example for females?
best chance of preserving her genes is to ensure the survival off her offspring
what is the central assumption of sociobiological theory?
Sexual promiscuity in males is genetically determined.
what is beta bias?
-theories have ignored/minimised sex differences.
when does beta bias occur?
when female ppts are not apart of research but assume the findings apply to both sexes.
what is an example of beta bias?
a fight or flight response is triggered- early research was on male animals and was assumed to be a universal response to a threatening situation
what is androcentrism a possible consequence of?
beta bias
what does androcentrism mean?
being entered on males, when ‘normal’ behaviour is judged according to male standard.. meaning female behaviour is ‘abnormal’
why is female behaviour deemed as ‘abnormal’?
If ‘normal’ behaviour comes from male research, then any behaviour that deviates from this is deemed abnormal.
Why is this bad for research on female/human behaviour?
means female behaviour is misunderstood and potentially pathologized, a sign of psychological instability disorder.
what is an example of androcentrism?
female commenters have objected to re mensural syndrome (PMS), being categorised diagnostically on the basis of trivialising female experience
