Gender bias Flashcards
Define Alpha bias.
A tendency to exaggerate differences between men and women and more often are that theories devalue one gender in comparison to the other, but typically devalue
women.
How is the psychodynamic theory an example of alpha bias?
Suggests that criminality occurs due to a deviant superego. Freud: since females do not experience
castration anxiety, they are under less pressure and have less of a need to identify with the moral standards of their same-sex parent, as compared to boys. This suggests that
females, in line with the psychodynamic approach, are less moral than males - an idea which has been refuted by Hoffman.
Define androcentrism?
The consequence of beta bias and occurs when all behaviour is compared
according to a ‘male’ standard, often to the neglect or exclusion of women.
Give one piece of research as an example of androcentrism or beta bias?
Fight or flight research: research is usually conducted with male animals as the variation of hormone levels in females would make research more difficult – it has been
assumed that only male samples are needed as what is true for males is true for females, until Taylor challenged this, they provided evidence that females produce a tend and befriend ( women have more oxytocin) respond at times of stress which is adaptive as it ensures the survival of the offspring.
Define beta bias.
A tendency to ignore or minimise differences between men and women and tend to ignore questions about the lives of women, or insights derived from studies of men will apply equally well to women.
What is another example of androcentrism other than the fight/flight?
Brescoll and Uhlman- PMS has been criticised by some as being a social construction, which trivialises female
emotion, particularly anger. Male anger is seen as a logical response to
external pressures.
What is another example of beta bias? (other than the fight/flight)
Kohlberg’s levels of moral reasoning theory was developed on the basis of studying groups of American males, who all answered questions based on moral dilemmas e.g.
the Heinz dilemma. These results were then generalised to represent levels of moral reasoning for both men and women.
Define universality.
This describes any underlying characteristic of human behaviour which
can be applied to all individuals, regardless of their differences and upbringing. Gender and culture bias threaten the universality of findings in psychology.
