gender bias

Question 1

gender bias

Answer 1

Where the research/theory does not justifiably represent the experiences/behaviours of men and/or women

Question 2

alpha bias

Answer 2

research/theory that exaggerates differences between males and females

Question 3

beta bias

Answer 3

research/theory that minimises differences between males and females.

Question 4

androcentrism

Answer 4

Where our understanding of ‘normal’ behaviour is based on research with all male samples, and any behaviour that deviates from this is considered abnormal.

Question 5

alpha bias synoptic

Answer 5

Psychodynamic theory states morality Boys go through the Oedipus conflict – leads to fear of castration
They solve this by identifying with their father and taking his morals
Boys have a stronger sense of morality (superego) than girls because the conflict is greater for them.

Question 6

beta bias synoptic

Answer 6

Milgram studied obedience in male participants
showed 65% of participants would deliver the maximum shock
shows people will obey immoral orders from authority.

Question 7

limitation - aids discrimination

Answer 7

gender bias research can create misleading assumptions about female behaviour and validate discrimination
It may provide scientific justification to deny women opportunities within the workplace or wider society

leads to damaging consequences

Question 8

strength - gender bias can lead to reflexivity

Answer 8

researchers recognise the effect of their values on their work
so they embrace bias as an important aspect of the research process rather than seeing it as the problem

Dambrin and Lambert studied women in executive positions in accountancy firms and how their gender related experiences influence their understanding of events

leads to greater awareness of personal bias - great for future research

Question 9

strength - feminist psychologist propose how to avoid gender bias

Answer 9

worell and remer - suggest criteria researchers can follow to avoid gender bias
women should be studied in meaningful real-life contexts and genuinely participate in research instead of being objects of study

diversity should be studied rather than a comparison between men and women

this would be better reseach and less gender biased