Gender Bias

Question 1

What is bias in relation to Gender?

Answer 1

When men and women are portrayed or treated differentially due to stereotypes and not real differences

Question 2

What is Alpha bias in relation to Gender Bias?

Answer 2

When theories exaggerate the differences between men and women

Question 3

What is Beta bias in relation to gender bias?

Answer 3

When theories ignore or minimise real differences between men and women

Question 4

What is Androcentrism?

Answer 4

Theories which are centred on or focus on males

Question 5

What is Gynocentrism?

Answer 5

Theories which are centred on or focus on females

Question 6

Give an example of a theory or approach which displays Alpha Bias?

Answer 6

Freud’s theory of psychosexual stages - Women have penis envy and are a failed form of masculinity

Question 7

Give an example of a theory which displays Beta bias?

Answer 7

Research carried out on fight or flight is often conducted on males and applied to females but research has shown that they react differently, females having another response - Friend

Question 8

Give an example of Androcentric research?

Answer 8

Asch’s line study = 123 males

Question 9

Evaluation of Gender Bias?

Answer 9

• Largely unchallenged such as research supporting the idea that women are choosy in partners which continues to be socially damaging
• Solutions include research which supports the idea of female capabilities such as that they are more skilled learners
• Feminist approach: accept there are differences like that women are less effective leaders but then work to correct these problems with training and education