Gender Bias and Culture Bias Flashcards
Gender Bias
when researchers misrepresent the difference between men and women
Personal Bias
When researchers lack objectivity in their study
Alpha Bias
when researchers exaggerate the differences between men and women
Example of Alpha Bias
The evolutionary theory of relationships states that men, with the ability to father many children, are innately promiscuous, as they seek to impregnate women to increase their legacy. On the other hand, women, who can only produce a limited number of children, seek a man with resources to support child rearing. This reinforces a gender double standard.
Beta Bias
when a researcher minimises or ignores the differences between men and women
Why would this be an example of gender bias (3 mark)
-they ignore/minimise differences between men and women
-they exaggerate differences between men and women
-they define their behavioral categories in an incomplete way
-they observe behavior in one gender that they completely ignore in another
Androcentrism
Reflecting and supporting a male-centric view of the world
Culture Bias
Interpreting human behavior based on cultural norms or experiences
Ethnocentrism
A researcher may view their culture as superior to the one they are evaluating, leading to misrepresentation
Universality
In psychology is the argument that there are certain observed behaviors that apply to all humans, regardless of differences in gender, biology or culture e.g laughter
WEIRD sampling bias
Most of the participants in psychological research come from Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic societies, unlike most of the world’s population
How to reduce WEIRD sampling bias
Use a diverse sample
Cross cultural research or multi cultural comparisons should be conducted
For example Van Ijzendoorns Meta analysis of the “Strange Situation” in multiple cultures
Dealing with bias
To minimize bias, researchers should not assume universal norms or differences in culture or sex. If claiming universality or a difference, ensure it is supported by empirical evidence
Culture relativism
The principle that human behavior should be understood within the context of the specific culture in which it occurs, taking into account cultural norms, values and beliefs
Example of culture bias
In the UK and West Indies, prevalence of schizophrenia is around 1%
However, individuals from the West Indies living in the UK are nine times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. Researchers suggest that this may be due to Western definitions of mental health being inappropriately applied to non- western cultures.
