Issues and debates Flashcards
Issues with bias in psychology
Undermines psychology claim to objectivity and universality.
Alpha bias
exaggerates or overestimates differences between the sexes (typically undervalue females).
Beta bias
- ignores, minimises or underestimates differences between men and women.
-often occurs when females are not a part of the research process and then it is assumed that finings apply equally to both sexes.
Androcentrism
- When behaviour is judged according to a male standard.
- Leads to female behaviour being misunderstood and taken as a sign of instability.
Gender bias evaluation- Implication of gender bias
- May create misleading assumptions about female behaviour.
- Therefore it is not just a methodological problem but may create real problems for women and affect their lives.
Gender bias evaluation- Sexism within the research process
- Lack of women appointed for research positions means that female concerns may not be reflected.
- Lab studies disadvantage women as they are often run by a male researcher who has power over them.
- Psychology may be guilty of institutional sexism which creates bias in theory and research.
Gender bias evaluation- Reflectivity
Many modern researcher are beginning to recognise the role their own bias plays in their research.
Gender bias evaluation- Essentialism
- Most of the bias reports are based on essentialism- the idea that gender differences are fixed in nature and inevitable.
- Such reports are often politically motivated disguised as facts.
- Often creates a double standard.
Ethnocentrism
- A belief in the superiority of ones own cultural group.
- May be seen in a view that behaviours that deviate from the western norm are deficient.
Cultural relitivism
The idea that norms and values as well as ethics and moral standards can only be meaningful and understood within specific social and cultural contexts.
Imposed etic
When behaviour is studied within a certain culture and is assumed to e applicable to all cultures.
Emic approach
When behaviour inside a certain culture is studied and then applied only to that culture.
Etic approach
When behaviour from outside a given culture is studied and described as universal.
Cultural bias evaluation- Individualism and collectivism
- Often when researchers make a distinction they make it between individualism and collectivism.
- Individualist culture refers to western countries whereas collectivist countries include china and Isreal.
- However with modern advancements in technology these cultures have become less pronounced. Some suggest that cultural bias is less of an issue.
Cultural bias evaluation- Relativism versus universality
- Should not be assumed that no research applies universally.
- Ekman’s research into facial expressions shows they are the same over the human and animal world.
- A full understanding of behaviour requires universal rules and cultural variations.
Cultural bias evaluation- Unfamiliarity with research tradition
- Western culture studies assume a general knowledge of scientific researches aims and objectives, other cultures may not have the same faith in scientific testing.
- This means that’d demand characteristics will differ between the cultures invalidating results.
Cultural bias evaluation- Operartionalisation of variables
- Variables in research may be experienced differently by different cultures such as personal space and aggression may be perceived differently between western and other cultures.
- This could affect the indications between participant and researchers as well as among participants in the study.
Free will
As humans we are self determining and free to chose our own thoughts and actions- advocated by the humanistic approach.
Determinism
Suggests free will has no influence over behaviour
Soft determinism
Important feature of the cognitive approach, although there are causes for behaviour, people have mental control over the way they behave.
Hard determinism
- Biological approach takes this view.
- All human behaviour has a cause and so it should be possible to identify them.
- This is compatible with the aims of science.
Biological determinism
Biological approach emphasises the role of biological factors in behaviour, many physiological processes are not under our conscious control such as the role of the atomic nervous system in stress. Also emphasises the role of genetics and hormone.