Gender bias Flashcards
What is gender bias?
The differential treatment or representation of men and women based on stereotypes rather than real differences
What is Androcentrism?
Centred or focused on men, often neglect/exclude women
What is alpha bias?
A tendency to exaggerate differences between men and women, devaluing one gender in comparison to the other
What is beta bias?
Ignore/minimise the differences between men and women and assume that insights derived from studies of men will apply equally well to women
What is universality?
The aim to develop theories that apply to all people, which may include real differences
Who proposed alpha and beta bias?
Hare-Mustin and Marecek (1988)
What is an example of alpha bias?
- Freuds alpha-biased theory of psychoanalysis - viewed femininity as failed masculinity + exaggerated differences
- Women are morally inferior as they cannot undergo the Oedipus complex where the superego develops
What is an example of beta bias?
- Fight-or-flight research based on males and assumes it applies to women, Taylor challenged this providing evidence females actually adopt a tend-and-befriend response
Why is universality the solution?
Recognising differences but not the superiority of one gender over another
Explain alpha and beta bias in moral reasoning research
- Kohlberg produced an influential theory of moral development - based on male sample - moral decisions are based on justice (example of beta bias because he assumed it would apply to all people)
- when he did test women, he claimed they were less morally developed than men (alpha bias) – later exaggerated this this in findings
- Gilligan pointed out this bias + created own theory/research which showed women favoured a care orientation whereas men favoured a justice orientation – demonstrates men and women are different without labelling either as better – they are just different
