I and D: gender bias

Question 1

What is gender bias in psychological research?

Answer 1

A view that does not justifiably represent the experience and behaviour of men or women, usually women.

Gender bias can lead to skewed findings that do not reflect the true nature of gender differences.

Question 2

What does universality refer to?

Answer 2

Any characteristic that is capable of being applied to all, despite differences of experience and upbringing

Universality is important in research to ensure findings are applicable across diverse groups.

Question 3

What threatens the universality of findings?

Answer 3

Gender bias and culture bias

These biases can skew research outcomes and interpretations.

Question 4

What is the difference between sex and gender?

Answer 4

Sex refers to biological differences; gender refers to behavioral, cultural, and psychological characteristics

Understanding this distinction is crucial in discussions about identity and social roles.

Question 5

True or False: Sex and gender are synonymous.

Answer 5

False

Sex is biological; gender is a social construct.

Question 6

Define beta bias in psychology.

Answer 6

Theories that ignore or minimize differences between sexes, leading to misrepresentation of behaviour.

Beta bias often occurs when female participants are not included in research.

Question 7

What is a consequence of beta bias?

Answer 7

Misrepresentation of behaviour.

This often occurs when research findings are assumed to apply equally to both men and women.

Question 8

Fill in the blank: Theories that ignore or minimize differences between sexes are referred to as _______.

Answer 8

[beta bias]

Question 9

What is a consequence of beta bias?

Answer 9

Androcentrism

It leads to male behavior being seen as the standard.

Question 10

What often leads to beta bias in psychological research?

Answer 10

Exclusion of female participants from the research process.

This exclusion results in findings that are not generalizable to women.

Question 11

What is Androcentrism?

Answer 11

A consequence of beta bias where male behavior and masculine traits are considered the norm, making deviations by women appear abnormal.

It indicates that female behavior and traits are judged to be less desirable.

Question 12

What is Alpha bias?

Answer 12

Research that exaggerates the differences between the sexes, presenting them as fixed and inevitable.

These differences often devalue females in relation to their male counterparts.

Question 13

True or False: Alpha bias leads to a more favorable view of female behavior.

Answer 13

False

Alpha bias typically devalues females compared to males.

Question 14

Fill in the blank: Alpha bias is research that exaggerates the differences between the _______.

Answer 14

[sexes]

Question 15

How does Alpha bias affect the perception of female behavior?

Answer 15

It devalues females in relation to their male counterparts.

This misrepresentation can contribute to societal stereotypes.

Question 16

examples of alpha bias irl

Answer 16

• attachment: bowlby suggests mothers need to stay home or it reduces their child’s development

Question 17

AO3: ignores individual differences

Answer 17

assumes similarity within genders and ignores how men and women are all different
leads to inaccurate generalisations

Question 18

AO3: implication of gender bias

Answer 18

creates misleading assumptions about female behaviour
creates scientific justifications to deny women opportunities in society

Question 19

AO3: overcoming gender bias

Answer 19

Worrell and Remer (1992)
women should be studied in meaningful real-life situations
diversity within groups of women should be examined
use collaborative methods to get qualitative and quantitative data
this will be less gender-biased than lab experiments