Gender Bias Flashcards
Define Gender Bias in Psychology.
Gender Bias in Psychology refers to the differential treatment and/or representation of males and females based on stereotypes rather than real differences. It implies a distorted presentation of gender, leading to unequal treatment in psychological research and theories.
What is Alpha Bias?
Alpha Bias refers to theories that exaggerate the differences between males and females. These theories tend to emphasise and magnify distinctions between genders, potentially reinforcing stereotypes and contributing to gender inequality.
What is beta bias?
Beta Bias refers to theories that ignore or minimize sex differences. Such theories often assume that findings from studies using males can equally apply to females, neglecting potential variations and contributing to an oversimplification of gender-related phenomena.
What is androcentrism?
Androcentrism refers to theories that are centered on or focused on males. These theories may prioritize male experiences, perspectives, or characteristics, often neglecting or underrepresenting the experiences and characteristics of females. Androcentrism can contribute to a gender bias in psychological research.
Provide an example of Gender Bias in psychological theories.
An example of Gender Bias is found in Freud’s theories, where he argued for the concept of ‘penis envy’ and viewed femininity as a failed form of masculinity. These ideas reflected a biased perspective that linked psychological differences between men and women to their physiological differences, reinforcing stereotypes rather than acknowledging the complexity of gender.
What is the challenge in distinguishing “real” gender differences?
The challenge in distinguishing “real” gender differences lies in differentiating between differences that are inherent and those that are culturally created. It involves understanding whether observed disparities are a result of biological factors or influenced by cultural and societal expectations.
How did Maccoby and Jacklin contribute to the understanding of gender differences?
Maccoby and Jacklin (1974) conducted a review of research on sex differences, concluding that there are a small number of real gender differences supported by cross-cultural studies.
What are the four gender differences identified by Maccoby and Jacklin?
- Girls have greater verbal ability.
- Boys have greater visual and spatial abilities.
- Boys have greater arithmetical ability, which appears during adolescence.
- Girls are less aggressive than boys.
How does the conclusion of Maccoby and Jacklin challenge gender stereotypes?
Maccoby and Jacklin’s conclusion challenges gender stereotypes by providing empirical evidence for a limited number of real gender differences. This challenges the oversimplified assumptions often associated with gender roles and highlights the importance of recognizing both commonalities and distinctions between genders.
What are Hare-Mustin and Marecek’s distinctions regarding gender bias?
Hare-Mustin and Marecek (1988) proposed two types of gender bias:
- Alpha Bias: Exaggerates the differences between males and females.
- Beta Bias: Ignores or minimizes sex differences, assuming findings from males apply equally to females.
What issues are associated with beta bias in animal research?
In animal research, beta bias occurs when studies use primarily male animals based on assumptions of hormonal uniformity. This bias led to oversights, such as ignoring the tend-and-befriend response in females, as demonstrated by Taylor et al. (2000) challenging the assumption of a uniform fight-or-flight response.
Give an example of beta bias in psychological research.
Kohlberg’s stage theory of moral development illustrates beta bias. The theory, developed solely from interviews with boys age 10-16 in 3-4 year intervals across 20 years, assumed its applicability to both genders. Subsequent research, such as Carol Gilligan’s work, suggested that women may have different moral reasoning emphasizing relationships.
How does beta bias affect animal research, specifically in studying stress responses?
Beta bias extends to animal research, as exemplified in studies on the fight-or-flight response. Many studies predominantly used male animals, assuming hormonal variations wouldn’t impact results. However, Taylor et al.’s (2000) stress research challenged this assumption, highlighting a tend-and-befriend response in females, revealing a significant oversight.
What consequence does beta bias have in shaping views of human nature?
Beta bias contributes to an androcentric view of human nature, falsely assuming that theories applicable to both genders equally represent men and women. This bias can lead to a skewed understanding of behavior and misapplications, as seen in studies like Asch’s conformity experiments involving only male participants.
