Issue and Debates- Gender Bias

Question 1

What do psychologists seek?

Answer 1

Universality

Question 2

What is the definition of gender bias?

Answer 2

Psychological theory and research may not accurately represent the experience and behaviour of men and women.

Question 3

What is it called when a bias exaggerates differences?

Answer 3

Alpha

Question 4

Explain Alpha bias

Answer 4

Differences between the sexes are usually presented as real, enduring, fixed and inevitable.

Question 5

What is an example of Alpha bias?

Answer 5

Freud’s psychodynamic theory.
Proposed that because a girl does not experience castration society in the phallic stage it will lead to the development of a weaker superego = morality being weaker.

Question 6

What bias minimises the differences?

Answer 6

Beta bias

Question 7

Explain beta bias

Answer 7

Ignoring/underestimating differences between men + women.

Suggests that research applies equally to both sexes.

Question 8

What is an example of beta bias?

Answer 8

Flight or fight response
Early research based exclusively on male animals. Because females hormones fluctuate.
They suggested their research was a universal response.

Question 9

What did Taylor et al (2003) say abt the flight or fight response?

Answer 9

Taylor et al (2003) explained that females have evolved to inhibit This response by shifting attention towards tending to offspring to befriending

Question 10

What is one consequence of beta bias?

Answer 10

Androcentrism

Question 11

What is androcentrism?

Answer 11

Male centred
When our understanding of normal comes from research involving all male samples therefore behaviour deviating from this is seen as abnormal

Question 12

What is an example of androcentrism?

Answer 12

Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) Medicalises female emotions by explaining it thru hormonal terms.
But for males it is seen as a response to external pressures

Question 13

What is it called when female behaviour is taken as a sign of illness?

Answer 13

Pathologised

Question 14

One strength of gender bias is reflexivity…

Answer 14

Example: When researchers recognise the effect on their own values, they then embrace bias rather than seeing as problem.

Explanation: it is an important development and will lead to greater awareness= will shape future research

Question 15

What is another strength of research bias in regards to recognising and avoiding it?

Answer 15

In this hamburger you can talk about Worell (1922)- women should be studied within meaningful real life contexts by being able to participate in research.
Differences in groups should also be studied
This could lead to less gender bias

Question 16

Explain how consequences of gender bias is a limitation

Answer 16

• Because it leads to misleading assumptions and may validate discriminatory practices
• ’Scientific justification’ to deny women opportunities

Question 17

Explain how gender bias promotes sexism…

Answer 17

•lack of women at senior research level
•female concerns are not reflected in research questions
•male researchers have a power to label them.
Therefore
Psychology may be guilty of promoting institutional sexism