Issues and debates- gender bias

Question 1

Double whopper, limitation

ENFORCE NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES

Answer 1

A limitation with gender-biased research is that it may lead to misleading assumptions about women’s behaviour, fail to challenge negative stereotypes and validate discriminatinatory practises.
It may lead to scientific “justification” for mistreating women. In any domain where men set the standard for normalcy, as Carol Tavris (1993) puts it , “It becomes normal for women to feel abnormal”.
Therefore, gender biased research is a methodological problem and can damage women’s lives.

Question 2

Hamburger, limitation

INSTITUTIONAL SEXISM

Answer 2

A limitation with gender biased research is the risk of sexism within the research process.
Male researchers are often more likely to have their work published and research shows gender differences are more likely to appear in journals than studies do not.

Therefore, psychology may be guilty of supporting institutional sexism that creates bias in theory and research (Denmark et al, 1988).

Question 3

Double whopper, strength

REFLEXIVITY

Answer 3

A strength of gender bias is that many modern researchers are embracing the reflexivity of bias and its crucial role in the research process in general.

For example, Claire Dambrin and Caroline Lambert (200) included reflection in their study o the lack of women in executive positions in accountancy firms, regarding how their gender-related experiences influence their reading of events.
Reflexivity is important in psychology and may lead to the greater awareness of personal biases in shaping research in the future.