Gender bias Flashcards
Explain what is meant by a gender bias in Psychology.
This is the differential treatment/representation of men & women based on stereotypes rather than real differences.
This bias can exist in the way that research is carried out (biased sampling etc) or in theories.
This could be in the form of an ALPHA or BETA bias.
Give examples of Alpha Bias.
Depression – females are consistently diagnosed more with depression which could be down to an alpha bias in person diagnosing or DSM rather than real gender difference.
Freud – saw females as failed forms of masculinity. He saw a multitude of differences in males and females with little evidence to support the claims.
Give examples of Beta bias.
FBI Profiling – the profiles were developed on male killers only but then applied to any new murderer (male or female).
Stress – research into the fight or flight response was mainly conducted on males but the response was assumed to be universal.
Explain the difference in an Alpha and Beta bias.
ALPHA BIAS - Assuming men and women are different when they are not (so exaggerating the differences when there might not be any)
BETA BIAS - Assuming men and women are similar when they are not (so trying to apply a theory tested on men to women)
What points for discussion could be raised with the gender bias (excluding ways of dealing with the gender bias)?
(-) There are implications for gender bias where research could lead to scientific justification for discrimination against females.
(-) There is sexism within psychology research, in that there is a lack of women appointed to senior research positions.
(-) There is a publication bias in research, where studies finding differences are more likely to be published.
What suggestions are there for minimising or dealing with a gender bias?
REVERSE ALPHA BIAS - conduct research and present findings that are phrased differently – emphasising the value of women.
Feminists suggest that research finding gender differences should be used to create opportunities for extra training and support for women to reduce gender differences.
What is meant by Androcentrism?
Psychology’s theories often exclude women or judge them by comparing them to male norms.
This then leads to females as being seen as inferior/abnormal/deficient when compared to this norm.
What is meant by ethical implications?
These concern the way in which research impacts on those who take part in research, or how the findings are used in public. Impacts include:
• The rights of participants in the research
And for society the implications are in the:
• Influencing of Public Policy
• Perception and Treatment of certain groups of people
