Issues & Debates Flashcards
Gender bias (what is it? Consequences?)
When one gender is treated less favourably than the other (sexism)
Consequences:
1) scientifically misleading
2) upholding stereotypical assumptions
3) validating sex discrimination
Universality GENDER - what is it? general example?
The incorrect assumption that behaviours are universal and gender doesn’t have an impact on this
6 basic types of emotion - happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger and surprise.
Felt by every gender and culture
Androcentrism GENDER - what is it? Eg?
Taking male behaviour as normal and therefore regarding female behaviour as inferior/ abnormal
Can occur when all male samples are used in research, then theory is generalised to both genders
Eg Zimbardo
Gynoscentrism GENDER - what is it? Eg?
OPPOSITE OF ANDROCENTRISM
Taking female behaviours as normal and regarding male behaviour as inferior/ abnormal
EG minority influence
Alpha bias GENDER - what is it? Eg?
Occurs when the differences between men and women are exaggerated
Eg - Geiger, complementary role of father and mother
Beta bias GENDER - what is it? Eg?
OPPOSITE OF ALPHA BIAS
Occurs when differences between men and women are minimised
Eg - fight or flight response considered universal but Lee & Harevy indicate that women are more likely to ‘tend and befriend’ (they foster social support in response to stressful situation)
Gender evaluation
❌ minimising differences between genders (beta bias) and research being androcentric (mostly on males) = negative impact on diagnosis of mental issues eg autism (girls mask)
❌ gender biased research may fail to challenge negative stereotypes eg role of the mother in attachment encourages women to stay at home and be main caregiver
✅ greater understanding can help future research eg diagnostic criteria & training for physicians can consider how men and women may exhibit symptoms differently
Universality CULTURE - what is it? Eg?
Findings from studies carried out in western culture have wrongfully been considered as universal due to the ignorance of culture from mainstream psychology
Eg - biopsychology
Ethnocentrism CULTURE - what is it? Eg?
When a researcher assumes that their own culturally specific practices or ideas are right
When other cultures are observed to differ from the researchers own, they may be regarded in negative light eg ‘undeveloped’ (can be racist)
Eg - definitions of abnormality (esp deviation from social norms as social norms are diff in all cultures)
Emic approach CULTURE - what is it? Eg?
An investigation of a culture from within the culture itself eg Malinowski trobriand islanders
Etic approach CULTURE - what is it? Eg?
Theoretical idea that is assumed to apply in all cultural groups
Eg - ainsworths strange situation - German children
more insecure-avoidant behaviour (criticised by British culture but Germans value and encourage independence)
Cultural relativism CULTURE - what is it? Eg?
The principle of regarding the beliefs, values and practices of a culture from the viewpoint of that culture itself
Eg - Maslows triangle only works in western societies and individualistic cultures
Culture bias evaluation
❌ minimising differences between cultures & research being ethnocentric is that it can have negative impact on mental health diagnosis - eg hearing voices in USA= schizophrenia but hearing voices in Costa Rica= spirits are talking to you
❌ misleading assumptions about other cultures, fails to challenge negative stereotypes eg strange situation - German more avoidant attached)
✅ understanding of culture bias will help future research eg afrocentrism movement implies all black ppl have roots from Africa so all theories concerning them must be Africa centred
❌ can be immensely damaging eg US army IQ test based on just American culture meaning those from a different culture were disadvantaged and humiliated from their ‘lower IQ’
Free will
Individuals have an active role in controlling their behaviour and are not controlled by biological or external forces.
Humanistic approach are one of few that believe in this.
Determinism (general definition)
An individuals behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal or external forces, rather than their own will. Eg biological factors (genes, NT levels, brain damage), faulty thinking patterns, learnt associations and stimulus response links.
