Gender Bias^

Question 1

Universality & Bias

Answer 1

psychologist want their research to be objective
can have beliefs that are influenced by their past/envi
influence results and undermine universality

Question 2

Alpha Bias

Answer 2

differences between men and women are exaggerated
heighten the value of women or devalue them

Question 3

Examples of Alpha Bias

Answer 3

Freud
oedipus and electra complex
sexual selection - men want to impregnate many so traits are passed down

Question 4

Beta Bias

Answer 4

differences between sexes are ignored/ minimised
usually occur when females participants are excluded
assume findings will apply to both

Question 5

Examples of Beta Bias

Answer 5

fight or flight - based on male animals as universal response
Taylor et al
- female bio evolved so they care how their response will affect offsprings
- form defensive network with other females

Question 6

Androcentrism

Answer 6

consequence of beta bias
understanding of beh comes from male samples
so any diff. beh is abnormal

Question 7

Example of Androcentrism

Answer 7

Pavlov
Classical conditioning
researched male dogs

Question 8

Bio VS Social Explanations

Answer 8

gender differences presented as fixed, but aren’t
Maccoby & Jacklin
- findings of several gender studies
- girls have better verbal ability
- boys - spatial ability
- differences are hardwired before birth
Joel et al
- no differences in brain structure or process
M&J’s findings were popular as they fit in stereotypes
Should be wary to accept facts as bio when they can be social

Question 9

VS Bio V Social Explanations

Answer 9

doesn’t mean psychologists should avoid researching gender diff. in brain
Ingalhalikar et al
- stereotype that women are better at multitasking could be true
- F’s brain have better connections between RH & LH than men
There may be bio diff. but should be wary of exaggerating effect

Question 10

Sexism in Research

Answer 10

gender bias promotes sexism
Murphy et al
- psy’ undergraduates, mostly women
- lectures, likely to be men
- research done usually by men, disadv. of women participants
Nicolson
- women irrational and can’t do complex tasks
- expectations = women underperform

Question 11

Gender-Biased Research

Answer 11

research that challenges GB may not be published
Formanowicz et al
- analysed 1000+ articles
- research in GB is less funded and published by less prestigious journals
Fewer research know and apply it