Gender in psychology: Gender Bias

Question 1

Key terms

Answer 1

• Alpha bias
• Beta bias
• Androcentrism
• Gender bias
• Universality

Question 2

Definition of alpha bias ?

Hint - alpha male

Answer 2

• A tendency to exaggerate differences between men and women. The consequence is that theories devalue one gender in comparison to the other

Question 3

Definition of Beta bias ?

Hint : Belittle

Answer 3

• A tendency to ignore or minimise differences between men and women. Such theories tend either to ignore questions about the lives of women, or assume that insights derived from studies of men will apply equally well to women.

Question 4

Definition of Gender bias ?

Answer 4

• The differential treatment or representation of men and women based on stereotypes rather than real difference

Question 5

Definition of universality ?

Answer 5

• The aim to develop theories that apply to all people which may include real differences.

Question 6

An example of a study with alpha bias ?

Answer 6

• Freud research
  freud viewed feminity as failed masculinity
• ‘penis envy’

Question 7

An example of a study with beta bias ?

positive outcome - further research done

Answer 7

• Flight or fight responses (biological) - usually investigated into male animals and the assumption was that it could apply to humans both men and women - where Taylor had to challenge this and suggest women show a tend and befriend response in times of stress which is adaptive because it ensure the survival of their offsprings.

Question 8

Discussion points

Answer 8

• Eagly - feminist psychology
• Rosanthal - bias in research method
• Hare mustin - avoid alpha bias
• Reverse beta bias - supported by Cornwell

Question 9

Definition of Androcentrism ?

Answer 9

• centred or focused in men , often to the neglect or exclusion of women

Question 10

An example for androcentrism?

Answer 10

-Asch study (conformity study)

The result of beta bias in psychological research is that we end up with a view of human nature that is supposed to apply to men and women

• entirely male sample - inaccurate representation

Question 11

evaluation / discussion - gender bias

two issues (remember the examples fo alpha and beta bias)

Answer 11

Issue - freud - negative perception of women

Issue - Biological psychology (incorrect view of flight or fight response)

Question 12

What can counter gender bias ? (change = reverse)

Answer 12

• Develop theories which show the difference between men and women but that emphasis the value of women
• Cornwell - shows that women are better at learning because they are more attentive

Question 13

what is one criticism of psychological theories ?

Answer 13

Bias in research methods so they are gender bias

• Rosenthal

Question 14

Bullet point the essay question Discuss gender bias in psychology ?

Answer 14

• definition of gender bias and the two types of gender bias
  (alpha and beta)
• definition of androcentrism and universality
• A01 - alpha - example (freud) - penis envy

beta - example ( flight or fight ) - tend and befriend Taylor et al - biological research usually conducted with male animals

• Evaluations