Issues and debates Flashcards
What is universality?
Any underlying characteristic of human beings that is capable of being applied to all, despite differences of experience and upbringing. Gender bias and culture bias threaten the universality of findings in psychology.
What is gender bias?
Gender bias in psychological research or theory may offer a view that does not justifiably represent the experience and behaviour of men or women (usually women).
A gender bias is the differential treatment and/or representation of males and females, based on stereotypes and not on real differences.
What is androcentrism?
Male-centered; when normal behaviour is judged according to a male standard (meaning that female behaviour is often judged to be ‘abnormal’ or ‘deficient’ by comparison).
What is alpha bias?
Psychological theories that suggest there are real and enduring differences between men and women. These may enhance or undervalue members of either sex, but typically undervalue females.
What is beta bias?
Theories that ignore or minimise differences between the sexes.
Why are psychologists ultimately bias?
Psychologists are people who possess beliefs and values that have been influenced by the social and historical context within which they live. Thus, bias may be an inevitable aspect of the research process.
Explain alpha bias (change question, only keeping it for something to do)
Alpha bias exaggerates or overestimates differences between the sexes. Such differences are typically presented as real and enduring, fixed and inevitable. Although these differences may occasionally heighten the value of women, they are more likely to devalue females in relation to their male counterparts.
