Issues and Debates

Question 1

Define monogamy, polygamy, polygny and polyandry

Answer 1

M: one partner, Polyga: multiple partners, Polygn: multiple female partners, Polya: multiple male partners (rare)

Question 2

What does WEIRD stand for?

Answer 2

Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, Democratic

Question 3

What is ethnocentrism?

Answer 3

Using our own ethnic/cultural group as a basis for making judgements about other groups, assume our own behaviours are normal so other groups are strange, we assume that explanations needed for others behaviour

Question 4

How can the measurement tools used in research distort the research?

Answer 4

questionnaires, interviews and experimental techniques may work within some cultures but not others, not valid

Question 5

What is anthropological research?

Answer 5

conduct research in variety of societies, often small, non industrialised or Western, usually involves joining the society and observing through participant observation

Question 6

What is alpha bias?

Answer 6

assumes there are real differences between genders, can lead to exaggeration of differences, can be based on inadequate evidence and linked to superiority of males

Question 7

What is beta bias?

Answer 7

ignores/minimises real differences between genders, exaggerates similarity between genders, can be done by assuming male research can apply to females

Question 8

What is androcentrism?

Answer 8

taking male thinking/behaviour as normal so regard females as abnormal rather than just different

Question 9

What is estrocentrism?

Answer 9

taking female thinking/behaviour as normal so regard males as abnormal when just different

Question 10

What is the consequence of bias in research?

Answer 10

scientifically misleading research/theory, upholding stereotypical assumptions about women, justifying sex discrimination on basis that genders naturally different