Gender bias Flashcards
Definition: Gender bias
The differential treatment and/or representation of males and females, based on stereotypes and not real differences
Definition: Androcentrism
Mental process of viewing the world from a male point of view
Example: Androcentrism
The result of beta bias in psychological research is that we end up with a view of human nature that is supposed to apply to men and women alike, but in fact has a male or androcentric view for example Asch’s 1955 conformity studies
Definition: Gynocentrism
Mental process of viewing the world from a female point of view
Definition: Alpha bias
exaggerated gender differences
Example: Alpha bias
Freud argues there are genuine psychological differences between the genders. His theory suggest that women are inferior as young girls suffer from ‘penis envy’ and he viewed femininity as failed form of masculinity
Definition: Beta Bias
Ignores/minimise differences between males and females
Example: Beta Bias
Biological research into fight or flight response has often been carried out with male animals. It was assumed that this wouldn’t be a problem as fight or flight responses would be the same for both sexes
Strength of Beta Bias
It is a problem in itself, but it can prompt more research into females- Taylor et al (2002) found females adopt a ‘tend and befriend’ response in dangerous situations: Women are more likely to protect their offspring (tending) and form alliances with other women (befriending) rather than fight an adversary or flee
Definition: Gender
Psychological characteristics associated with male or female
Definition: Bias
Learning in a particular direction, a systematic distortion in one attitude and beliefs based on prejudice or pre-existing ideas
Explain the difference between Alpha and Beta bias 4 marks
One difference between an alpha and a beta bias is that an alpha bias exaggerates the difference between males and females, whereas a beta bias minimises the differences between males and females.
For example, Freud’s work is alpha-biased as he exaggerates the differences by saying that women are inferior and suffered from penis envy. On the other hand, the biological explanation for fight or flight has previously demonstrated a beta-bias, as it was assumed that men and women responded to stress/danger in the same way
Outline how Androcentrism has affected psychological research 3 marks
Androcentrism refers to theories which are centred on or focused on males.
For example, Asch’s research into conformity was conducted on an entirely male sample. Asch assumed that findings would be similar for both males and females, which is known as beta bias.
This can affect psychological research as it provides a potentially misleading or inaccurate representation of how one sex will respond in given situation
