Gender bias - AO1 Flashcards
Universality
When a theory is described as universal, it means that it can apply to all people, irrespective of gender and culture
Bias
The tendency to treat one group or individual in a different way than others
For gender bias, women’s experiences and behaviours are often misrepresented
Andocentrentrism
Male centered, or dominated by, males as psychology has been in the past
Can lead to both alpha bias and beta bias
What is alpha bias?
Psychological research that exaggerates differences. They are presented as fixed or inevitable
What is an explanation of alpha bias?
Freud (1905) theory of psychological development
Suggested girls formed a weaker superego than boys because they did not experience castration anxiety
Girls had a weaker sense of morality
What is beta bias?
Psychological research that ignores or underestimates differences
What is an explanation of beta bias?
Taylor et al (2000) suggested that female biology has evolved different responses to a threat, involving caring and befriending behaviours
What are three ways gender bias may occur?
- Male samples
- Male behaviour as standard
- Biological difference emphasis
What is male samples and an example?
Conducting research on all-male sample and then generalising findings to women
Example: Asch’s study and Milgram’s study
What is male behaviour as standard and an example?
If the behaviour of a women differs from that of men, the behaviour of said women is seen as deviation from the norm
Example: Freud claiming femininity was failed masculinity
What is biological difference emphasis and an example?
Explanations of behaviour that emphasis the biology of an individual ignores the social and external factors.
It may imply that there is a difference between the behaviour of the sexes
