ISSUES AND DEBATES Flashcards
Gender bias
the differential treatment or representation of men and women based on stereotpyes rather than real differences
ALPHA BIAS
tendency to exaggerate the differences between men and women suggesting there are real and enduring differences between the two sexes
Consequences are that theorists devalue one gender in comparison to the other typically women
EXAMPLE OF ALPHA BIAS- PSYCHODYNAMIC
psych expl for offending behavior suggests criminality occurs due to deviant superego
according to freud since women dont experience castration anx, they under less pressure less need to identify w morals of same sex parent compared to boys
suggests females are less moral than males
BETA BIAS
minimizes differences between m+w
often occurs when female ppts not included in research process but it is assumed that research findings apply equally to both sexes
EXAMPLES OF BETA BIAS- F O F/ TEND BEFRIEND
early research into f or f based on male animals bc female hormones fluctuate.
F or F assumed to be universal response to threat
TAYLOR- suggest females exhibit tend bef response governed by oxytocin+ reduces f or f response
evolved response for caring for young
ANDROCENTRISM -male centred
Alpha n beta bias are consequences of androcentrism
Psych has traditionally been a subject dominated by males
This leads to female beh being misunderstood+pathologised
e.g PMS has been criticised by some as being a social construction, which trivialises female
emotion, particularly anger
but male anger is seen as a logical response to
external pressures (Brescoll and Uhlman)
UNIVERSIALITY
aim to develop theories that apply to all ppl which may include real differences
A03- GENDER BIAS IN RESEARCH
If theories and studies are gender biased, the research may
find differences between genders but it may not be the genders that differ but the methods used to test or observe them.
Rosenthal - male
experimenters are more pleasant and encouraging to female participants and subsequently
they perform better in tasks/male participants appeared to perform less well.
A03- GENDER BIAS IN RESEARCH
If theories and studies are gender biased, the research may
find differences between genders but it may not be the genders that differ but the methods used to test or observe them.
Rosenthal - male
experimenters are more pleasant and encouraging to female participants and subsequently
they perform better in tasks/male participants appeared to perform less well.
A03 GB; LAB EXP MAY BE AN EXAMPLE OF INSTITUTIONALISED SEXISM IN PSYCH
Research likely to be conducted by males disadv females
male researchers may expect female ppt to be irrational n unable to complete complex tasks- NICOLSON
which means they underperform
= inst structures n methods may produce gender biased findings
A03 ADV BETA BIAS
Beta bias has allowed women greater access to educational and
occupational opportunities. However Hare pointed out that arguing
for equality draws attention away from women’s special needs
e.g equal
parenting ignores the biological demands of pregnancy, childbirth and the special needs of
women.
this suggests that some elements of beta bias may actually
disadvantage women.
cultural bias
tendency to judge all cultures n individuals in terms of ur own cultural assumptions.
distorts/ biases judgement
americans over represented in research
review found 68% research ppts came from US
CULTURAL RELATIVISM
view that behaviour, morals, standards and values cannot be
judged properly unless they are viewed in the context of the culture in which they originate.
Example of cultural relativism
Milgram’s study into obedience was originally conducted American participants
replicated using Spanish students
over 90% obedience rates in Spanish students
This suggests that Milgram’s original results were
specifically bound to American cultures.
