Issues and debates Flashcards
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Gender bias
when psychological research or theory offers a view that doesn’t justifiably represent the experience or behaviour of one gender usually women
universality
the idea that any underlying characteristic of human behaviour can be applied to all despite any differences of experience or upbringing.
Alpha bias
research that focuses on difference between men and women and therefore presents a view that exaggerates the difference
Beta bias
research that focuses on the similarities between men and women and therefore present a below that minimises the differences
androcentrism
male- centred
When normal is judged according to male standard meaning that female behaviour is judged to be abnormal
what are the consequences of androcentrism
alpha and beta bias
what threatens the idea of universality of psychological findings
gender an culture bias
example of alpha bias against women
Freuds psychosexual stages
During the phallic stages of development both boys and girls develop a desire for the opposite sex parent.
This creates castration anxiety in a boy . The anxiety is resolved when the boy identifies with his father
But a girls identification with her mum is weakest meaning her superego is weak
( as it develops as a result of taking on the same sex parents moral perspective)
Therefore girls/women are presented as morally weaker than men/boys
Alpha bias favouring women
Pshycodynamic approach
Chodorow suggested that daughters and mothers have greater connectedness than sons and mothers because of biological similarities. As a result of the closeness as a child women develop better abilities to bond and emphasise with others.
Beta bias example - misrepresentation of women’s behaviour
fight or flight research
Biological research had used males because females are affected by regular hormonal changes due to ovulation
This ignores any possible differences
Taylor et al described the tend and befriend response. Oxytocin (love hormone) s more plentiful in women and increases when stressed reducing fight or flight and creating tend or befriend.
cultural bias
Interpreting all behaviour through ones own culture and ignoring the effects that cultural differences may have on behaviour
ethnocentrism
judging other cultures by the standards and values of ones own culture - superiority of one’s culture that y lead to prejudice or discrimination
cultural relativism
Idea that normals and values can only be understood within specific social and cultural contexts.
The people most likely to be studied by psychologists
Heinrich et al
W- westernised
E- educated
I- industrialised
R- rich
D- democracies
So norm or standard from people who do not fall into those categories is considered abnormal, inferior or unusual
Example of ethnocentrism
Ainsworths strange situation only reflects westernised culture.
They throught that the idea attachment type was characterised by babies showing secure attachment.
This lead to a misinterpretation of child rearing practices in other countries high seemed to deviate from the American norms
