gender bias Flashcards
(18 cards)
what is gender?
social and psychological characteristics of males and females
what is sex?
refers to biological factors
what is gender 2? what is gender bias
- behavioural, cultural and psychological characteristics that distinguish males from females
- often closely linked biological sex - but sex doesnt always equate gender
- psych research/theory may offer view that doesnt justifiably rep the experience + behaviour men/women
what is universality?
- all research applies equally to both genders
- psychologists like to believe can create theories + explanations = universal - regardless time/culture
- not always case
what are three main ways that gender bias can occur?
- male samples
- male behaviour as standard
- biological differences emphasis
how are male samples a way in which gender bias can occur?
male samples - being generalised to females suggesting will produce same results
how is male behaviour as standard a way in which gender bias can occur?
male behaviour as standard - considered normal causing female behaviour different to men = deviation from norm
how is an emphasis on biological differences a way in which gender bias can occur?
biological differences emphasis - explanations that emphasise the biology of the individual + underestimates role of social + external factors
what is androcentrism?
- male-centred
- normal behaviour is judged according to a male standard meaning female behaviour judged as abnormal in comparison
- leads to female beh = misunderstood or pathologised
- ex. PMS - premenstrual syndrome
what is an example of women’s behaviour being pathologised?
- many feminists object to diagnosis of PMS
- stereotypes female exp + has been argued that this means female emotions + anger explained with hormones
- male anger often explained as rational response to external pressures
what are the consequences of androcentrism?
- alpha bias
- beta bias
what is beta bias?
- attempt to downplay the differences between the genders
- fight/flight response documented as being universal
- research by lee + harley 2012 = women more likely to ‘tend + befriend’
what is alpha bias?
- attempt to exaggerate the differences between the genders
- enhances/under values members of either sex + historically under value females
ex. chodorow 1968 - mothers + daughters greater connectedness than sons + mothers due to biological similarities - because of child’s closeness - women = better abilities to bond with others + empathise
evaluate gender bias
- dalton - female behaviour
- publish bias
- cornwell - reduce it
- can actually be differences - ingalhalikar
how is gender bias about female behaviour a limitation?
- can cause misleading info
- stereotypes that validate discriminatory behaviour
- dalton 1964 suggested that during menstrual cycle women have more accidents + lower iq
- paints women as volatile with little control over behaviour allowing discrimination ex. lower employment rates
how is helping to reduce/challenge gender stereotypes a strength?
- from developing a good understanding - solutions put forward
- cornwell et al 2013 noted females = better at learning - more attentive + organised
- emphasise both value + positive attributes of women
- challenge + reduce gender bias
how is gender-biased publish bias research a limitation of gender bias?
- research challenging gender biases may not be published
- 2018 - analysed 1000+ articles relating to gender bias published over 8 years
- found research on gender bias funded less often + not published prestigious journals
- less aware + apply it
how is the possibility that there may actually be gender differences a strength of gender bias?
- psychologists should not avoid studying differences
- ingalhalikar et al 2014 - suggests stereotype of women better at multitasking - some truth
- women’s brain may benefit from better connections between right + left hemisphere than in man’s
- may be differences BUT must be wary of exaggeration
