Issues and Debates

Question 1

What is gender bias?

Answer 1

• gender bias results when one gender is treated less favourably than the other, often referred to as sexism

Question 2

What are the three main types of gender bias?

Answer 2

Alpha bias, Beta bias and androcentrism

Question 3

What is alpha bias?

Answer 3

• refers to theories that exaggerate the differences between males and females
• therefore, stereotypically male and female characteristics may be emphasised

Question 4

What is beta bias?

Answer 4

• refers to theories that ignore or minimise sex differences

- these theories often assume that finding from studies using males can apply equally to females

Question 5

What is Androcentrism?

Answer 5

• refers to theories that are (centered on or) focused on males

Question 6

Positive consequences of gender bias: Alpha Bias

Answer 6

• has lead to healthy criticism of cultural values that praise certain ‘male’ qualities like aggression and individualism as desirable
• has led to some theorists (Gilligan) to assert worth and valuation ‘feminine qualities’

Question 7

Positive consequences of gender bias: Beta Bias

Answer 7

• makes people see men and women as the same, which has led to equal treatment in legal terms (e.g. education)

Question 8

Negative consequences of gender bias: Alpha Bias

Answer 8

• Focus on differences between genders leads to the implication of similarity WITHIN genders, so ignores the many ways women differ from each other
• Can sustain prejudices and stereotypes