Gender & Cultural Bias

Question 1

Define universality

Answer 1

Any underlying characteristic of human beings that is capable of being applied to all, regardless of differences; threatened by gender/cultural biases

Question 2

Define gender bias

Answer 2

Psychological research or theory may offer a view that does not justifiably represent the experience of men + women ( often women )

Question 3

Define beta bias

Answer 3

Théories which ignore or minimise differences between the sexes

Question 4

Give examples of beta bias

Answer 4

• Asch, Milgram, Zimbardo all only used male participants yet generalised findings to the whole population —> Sheridan and King found difference in female obedience (100% shocked puppies)
• brain studies are usually carried out on males
• fight or flight —> research initially carried out on male animals + assumed same for females; females may adopt tend + befriend response instead
• SZ diagnosis + classification is androcentric, less women are diagnosed

Question 5

Define alpha bias

Answer 5

Psychological theories which exaggerate the differences between men and women, suggesting they have real enduring differences

Question 6

Give examples of alpha bias

Answer 6

• Freud’s psychosexual stages (oedipus v electra complex), argued boys developed a stronger superego than girls = “morally inferior”
• Bowlbys research into the role of the mother and father, overemphasises mother when research has highlighted father can also take a nurturing role

Question 7

Define androcentrism

Answer 7

Male-centered; when “normal” behaviour is judged according to male standards, means female behaviour is judged as abnormal or deficient in comparison

Question 8

Define cultural bias

Answer 8

Refers to the tendency to ignore cultural differences and interpret all phenomena through the lens of one’s own culture

Question 9

What are the implications of cultural bias?

Answer 9

When standard is judged according to one cultures standpoint, other cultures behaviour may be deemed as abnormal

Question 10

What is ethnocentrism?

Answer 10

The belief in the superiority of one’s own cultural group, in psychological research viewing behaviours which do not conform to the model as ‘deficient’

Question 11

Give an example of ethnocentrism in psychological research

Answer 11

Ainsworth’s strange situation - suggested idéal attachment was characterised by infants showing distress when left alone, framed German mothers as cold and rejecting rather than encouraging independence

Question 12

Define cultural relativism

Answer 12

The idea that norms and values, as well as ethics and moral standards, can only be understood within specific cultural contexts

Question 13

What is the difference between etic and emic approaches?

Answer 13

Outlined by *John Berry**
- etic = looks at behaviour from outside a given culture and attempts to describe universal behaviours
- emic = functions from within certain cultures and identifies behaviours specific to that culture

Question 15

Outline implications of gender bias on research

Answer 15

Androcentrism of diagnostic tools (e.g. DSM-V) —> since 1980s more men than women have been diagnosed w SZ
- possibly due to masking symptoms or having better support systems
- can lead to mis/underdiagnosis of SZ; means women may not receive appropriate treatment and services
- women more likely to experience affective symptoms + later onset compared to men (neg symptoms + earlier onset)
Design of research
- sexism within research —> women underrepresented in uni departments
- so research likely to be conducted by men; may disadvantage female pots
- behaviour of female ppts may be more affected by investigator bias (reinforcing stereotypes + expectations)
- so institutional constructs + methods of psychology may breed gender biased research
Less reporting of gender bias research
- research challenging gender bias less likely to be published; research into gender bias less funded and published into less prestigious journals
- so fewer scholars are aware of its potential or apply it to their own work
- suggesting gender bias isn’t taken seriously within psychological research + community

Question 16

Describe ways to resolve gender bias

Answer 16

** Reflective practices** —> recognises effect a researchers own values + assumptions have on work; creates greater awareness of role of personal biases in shaping future research
Female researchers —> ensure female researchers part of studies with female ppts; avoids stereotyping + investigator bias
Qualitative data —> allows for unexpected findings bc questions are not fixed in advanced; data produced may not support existing views