gender bias

Question 1

explain universality and bias?

Answer 1

• bias is inevitable within research process as psychologists can be influenced by social and historical context
• findings may be believed to be ‘objective’ but undermines claims to universality
• two forms- gender/cultural bias

Question 2

what are the two types of gender bias?

Answer 2

• Alpha Bias AB!!!! (big AB= big difference)

- beta bias bb (small bb= minimises)

Question 3

explain Alpha bias?

Answer 3

-when research has exaggerated differences between sexes, usually devalues women in relation to men

Question 4

evaluate example of Alpha Bias?

Answer 4

• tend and befriend instead of fight or flight

- problem and emotion focused response to stress

Question 5

explain beta bias?

Answer 5

• minimises differences between men and women

- finding from all male study may then be generalised to women as well

Question 6

evaluate an example of beta bias?

Answer 6

• Asch’s study with -123 male participants take part in a vision test, all white middle class men
• Zimbardo
• Milgram

Question 7

evaluate an implication of gender bias?

Answer 7

WEAKNESS

• may create misleading assumptions about female behaviour, failing to challenge negative stereotypes by proving misleading info t deny women’s opportunity’s eg. workplace
• therefore has damaging consequences, can affect women’s lives

Question 8

evaluate sexism w/in psychology?

Answer 8

WEAKNESS

• lack of women appointed as senior research leaders
• meaning female concerns less likely to be reflected and their work less likely to be published
• supports institutional sexism= bias in research

Question 9

explain Androcentrism?

Answer 9

• possible consequence of beta bias
• if understanding of normal behaviour comes from research involving all male samples
• female behaviour is misunderstood eg. feminists protesting for PMS being a social construct

Question 10

evaluate using own values to develop research for universality and bias?

Answer 10

STRENGTH

• researchers see bias as a crucial aspect of research process and realise the effect of their own bias’ eg. research into why less women are in stem jobs
• may lead to benefits in psychology and practically + awareness