Issues and Debates - Gender Bias Flashcards
What is universality in psychology?
Universality refers to any underlying characteristic of human beings that is capable of being applied to all, despite differences of experience and upbringing. Gender bias and culture bias threaten the universality of findings in psychology.
What is gender bias?
Gender bias is when considering human behavior, bias is a tendency to treat one individual or group in a different way from others. In the context of gender bias, psychological research or theory may offer a view that does not justifiably represent the experience and behavior of men or women (usually women).
What is androcentrism?
Androcentrism is male-centered, when ‘normal’ behavior is judged according to a male standard (meaning that female behavior is often judged to be ‘abnormal’ or ‘deficient’ by comparison).
What is alpha bias?
Alpha bias refers to psychological theories that suggest there are real and enduring differences between men and women. These may enhance or undervalue members of either sex but typically undervalue females.
What is beta bias?
Beta bias refers to theories that ignore or minimize differences between the sexes.
What is an example of alpha bias in gender bias?
Alpha bias is demonstrated in Freud’s theory, which viewed femininity as failed masculinity. Women were seen as morally inferior because they lacked male-specific structures like the superego, exaggerating the differences between genders.
What is an example of beta bias in gender bias?
Beta bias is demonstrated in research on the fight-or-flight response. Biological research conducted exclusively on male animals assumed this response would be universal. Taylor et al. (2000) later suggested that females adapt a tend-and-befriend response due to evolutionary pressures, highlighting the minimization of gender differences.
What is one evaluation point?
Point: Gender-biased research may create misleading assumptions about female behavior, reinforcing stereotypes and validating discriminatory practices.
Evidence: For example, research highlighting higher rates of depression in women compared to men (Tavris, 1993) risks perpetuating the idea that women are more “abnormal.” This justification can impact women’s opportunities in both diagnosis and social roles.
Explanation: Such gender bias has real-world consequences by influencing both the treatment and diagnosis of disorders in women, suggesting that psychology needs to address these biases.
Link: Thus, recognizing and addressing gender bias ensures psychological research contributes positively rather than perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
What is one evaluation point?
Point: Psychology often underrepresents women, both in conducting research and in the research questions themselves.
Evidence: Denmark et al. (1988) found that male researchers are more likely to have their work published, and studies focusing on gender differences often overemphasize male perspectives. Female participants are often placed in inequitable conditions, such as being labeled ‘irrational’ or ‘emotional.’
Explanation: This male-dominated research process limits the understanding of gender-related issues and reinforces institutional sexism, undermining the validity of findings.
Link: Addressing this sexism is critical to creating a psychology that reflects and values diverse experiences.
What is one evaluation point?
Point: Reflexivity is increasingly recognized as important in psychological research.
Evidence: Researchers such as Dambrin and Lambert (2008) emphasized the need for psychologists to acknowledge their own values and biases. They argue that greater awareness of the effect of gender-related assumptions improves the quality of research.
Explanation: Reflexivity promotes self-awareness, encouraging researchers to challenge gender stereotypes actively rather than unconsciously reinforcing them.
Link: This can lead to more objective and accurate findings, reducing gender bias and advancing the field toward inclusivity.
What is one evaluation point?
Point: Androcentrism challenges the universality of psychological research by interpreting male behavior as the standard.
Evidence: For example, Kohlberg’s theory of moral development was based on an all-male sample, yet generalized to both sexes. This neglect of female perspectives meant that women were often judged as less morally developed.
Explanation: Such biases distort our understanding of human behavior by excluding female perspectives, undermining the validity of psychological theories.
Link: Addressing androcentrism ensures that psychological theories reflect a universal and balanced view of both genders.
