Gender Bias

Question 1

What is gender bias?

Answer 1

When differences between genders have not been properly considered, leading to a biased or potentially blasea conclusion.

Gender bias often results from stereotypes and can impact the validity of psychological findings.

Question 2

What are the implications of male-dominated psychology?

Answer 2

Ethical implications, less focus on female-related behaviors, difficulty generalizing findings, and a perception of the discipline as less valuable and credible.

A male-dominated perspective may lead to incomplete understandings of psychological phenomena.

Question 3

Define androcentrism.

Answer 3

A central focus on men, often to the neglect of women.

This perspective reflects a broader societal bias where theories and studies predominantly represent male viewpoints.

Question 4

What is alpha bias?

Answer 4

The exaggeration of differences between males and females, leading to the devaluation of one gender.

For example, alpha bias may suggest that women are inferior to men, which can perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

Question 5

What does it mean when studies are predominantly carried on males?

Answer 5

It implies that findings are often considered valid for both genders, despite potential differences in behavior and experiences.

This practice can contribute to gender bias in psychological research.

Question 6

True or False: Alpha bias suggests that women are morally superior to men.

Answer 6

False.

Alpha bias often leads to the assertion that women are inferior, based on exaggerated differences.

Question 7

Fill in the blank: Androcentrism reflects a _______ perspective in psychology.

Answer 7

[male-dominated]

Question 8

What are the consequences of not considering gender differences in psychological research?

Answer 8

Bias in conclusions, ethical implications, and limited treatment options for women.

This can result in a lack of understanding of female behaviors and needs.

Question 9

How does Freud’s theory show gender bias?

Answer 9

Freud suggested that woman are inferior to men as they’re jealous of their penises and do not undergo the odiepus complex, therefore their superego does not develop and are morally inferior.

Question 10

What is a beta bias?

Answer 10

When a study/theory minimises or ignores gender differences.

Question 11

Why might beta bias occur?

Answer 11

1) Behaviour of women doesn’t matter
2) Unfair to put women in this situation
3) There won’t be any differences, so there is no need to use both genders

Question 12

Describe Kohlberg’s study.

Answer 12

• Study on moral development
  -72 Chicago boys aged 10-16
• 2 Hour interview based on ten dilemmas

Question 13

How is Kolhberg’s study an example of beta bias?

Answer 13

He ignored the moral experiences of woman.
Additionally, the dilemma used was male orientated because they were concerned with justice rather than hurting someone’s feelings.

Question 14

What is universality?

Answer 14

The aim to develop theories that apply to all people, which include real differences.

Question 15

A03 What is one strategy to counter gender bias?

Answer 15

• One strategy to counter gender bias is to develop theories which show the differences between men and women but that emphasise the value of women.
• This can be seen in feminist research
• For example, research shows that women are better at learning because they are more attentive. (Cornwall et al 2003)
• Therefore such research challenges the stereotype than in any gender differences the male position must be better and changes people’s preconceptions.

Question 16

A03 One criticism of psychological theories is that they’re gender biased because the methods used are usually gender biased.

Answer 16

• For example, Rosenthal (1966) found that male experimenters are usually more pleasant, friendly and encouraging to female ppts.
• The result was that male ppts appeared to preform less well on the task.
• Futhermore, feminists argue that lab experiments disadvantage women because findings are created in the controlled world of a lab which tells us little about real experiences of women.
• Therefore these criticisms suggest that there are more serious issues with the way data is collected, which creates a false picture of male-female differences.

Question 17

A03 Equal treatment for men and women has given women greater opportunities, but this may be a disadvantage

Answer 17

• Hare-Mustin and Marecek (1988) point out that arguing for equality between men and woman draws away from women’s specials needs and from differences in power between them
• In a society where one group holds the most power, seemingly neutral actions end up benefitting the group with the power.
• For example, equal parental leave ignores the biological needs of childbirth, breastfeeding and special needs of woman therefore disadvantaging women.
• This suggests that we should avoid beta bias in order to ensure significant differences are taken account of.