Gender Bias

Question 1

What is gender bias

Answer 1

Differential treatment or representation of men or women based on stereotypes

Question 2

What is androcentrism

Answer 2

Centred or focused on men with the neglect of women

Question 3

What is universality

Answer 3

Aim to develop theories that apply to all people which may include real differences

Question 4

What is alpha bias

Answer 4

Exaggerating differences between men and women, devaluing one gender

Question 5

Eg of alpha bias

Answer 5

Freud’s research; females are seen as inferior to males as they are jealous of their Oedipus complex

Question 6

What is beta bias

Answer 6

Ignoring or minimising differences between men and women; assuming both genders have the same needs (usually ignoring women)

Question 7

Eg of Beta bias

Answer 7

Research into fight or flight
Ignoring the female ‘tend & befriend’ response

Question 8

Moral Reasoning Research

Answer 8

Kohlberg
Suggested our moral decisions based on ethic of justice- research on males(beta)
Gilligan
Women- care orientation
Men- justice orientation

Question 9

Solutions to gender bias

Answer 9

-Feminist Psychology- ways to help. women gain equality(training)
-Reverse alpha bias- emphasis value of women(women’s strengths)

Question 10

Consequences of gender bias

Answer 10

-Bias in research methods- how research is conducted changes findings(males friendly to females)
-Beta bias may disadvantage women- draws attention away from women’s needs(pregnancy)
-Assumptions need to be examined- to portray a valid picture of women(sexual selection)