Issues & Debates: Gender Bias

Question 1

What does universality mean?

Answer 1

The idea that conclusions drawn from research can be applied to everybody, regardless of tome period, gender or culture.

Question 2

Give an example of universality

Answer 2

Believing that some behaviours are the same for all genders.

Question 3

Universality is the idea that 1.___________ drawn from 2.__________can be applied to everybody, regardless of tome period, 3._________ or culture.

Answer 3

1. conclusions
2. research
3. gender

Question 4

Regarding universality, what can be drawn from research that can be applied to everybody?

Answer 4

Conclusions which can be applied to all.

Question 5

What does gender bias mean?

Answer 5

When psychological research or theory offers a view that does not represent the experience and behaviour of either men or women.

Question 6

Gender Bias: When psychological research or 1.________ offers a 2. ______ that does not represent the experience and 3.__________ of either men or 4_________.

Answer 6

1. theory
2. view
3. behaviour
4. women

Question 7

Undefining gender bias, what offers a view that does not represent the experience and behaviour of either men or women.

Answer 7

Psychological research or theory

Question 8

How does having male psychologists have an impact in psychology?

Answer 8

It upholds male superiority

Question 9

What do feminist argue psychology has been built on?

Answer 9

Biased research of male psychologists

Question 10

What are the three major types of gender bias all of which limit Universality.

Answer 10

Androcentrism, Alpha bias, Beta Bias

Question 11

What do all the types of gender bias limit?

Answer 11

Universality

Question 12

Define Androcentrism

Answer 12

Research that is based only on males, then it is used as the standard or expected norm for both sexes.

Question 13

Androcentrism is when research that is based only on_______________, then it is used as the standard or ___________ norm for___________ sexes.

Answer 13

males,
expected
both

Question 14

If our understanding of what is ‘normal’ behaviour comes from male only samples, what would that mean for behaviour that deviates from this norm?

Answer 14

then any behaviour that deviates form this norm is seen as abnormal or inferior.

Question 15

If our understanding of what is ‘_________’ behaviour comes from _____ only samples, then any behaviour that__________ form this is seen as__________ or inferior.

Answer 15

normal
male
deviates
abnormal

Question 16

If our understanding of what is ‘normal’ behaviour comes from male only samples, then any behaviour that deviates form this is seen as abnormal.

How would this affect female behaviour?

Answer 16

This leads to female behavior being misunderstood or pathologised

Question 17

What does pathologised mean?

Answer 17

Behaviour being taken as a sign of psychological instability

Question 18

What is the term which describes behaviour being taken as a sign of psychological instability

Answer 18

Pathologised

Question 19

How can you use Asch’s conformity research to explain Androcentrism?

Answer 19

For example, research in to conformity by Asch was conducted on a sample of males and then generalised to both sexes, therefore if females conformed more than 37% of the time then they may have been seen as abnormal.

Question 20

Beta Bias: Research/theories _____________ behaviour as they ignore or ___________ the differences between males and __________. Therefore important aspects of ___________ experience are ___________, so limits any conclusions drawn.

Answer 20

misrepresent
minimises
females
female
ignored

Question 21

Beta bias suggests that Research/theories misrepresent behaviour as they ignore or minimises the differences between males and females. How does this impact female experience?

Answer 21

Important aspects of female experience are ignored, so limits any conclusions drawn.

Question 22

What is the impact of beta bias?

Answer 22

This often occurs when female participants are not included in a sample and it is assumed the findings can apply equally to both sexes.

Question 23

Which type of gender bias is when female participants are not included in a sample and it is assumed the findings can apply equally to both sexes.

Answer 23

Beta bias

Question 24

Give an example of beta bias using
research into the fight of flight response

Answer 24

For example, the fight-or-flight response has been described as universal (applying equally to men and women) but much of the early research was conducted on male animals

Question 25

What does Beta bias suggests Research/theories misrepresent behaviour are minimising?

Answer 25

Differences between males and females

Question 26

Alpha bias: Research/theories misrepresent behaviours as it______________ differences between __________ and females, serving to reinforce gender__________ and usually devalue women as women are often not seen as ‘the _______’.

Answer 26

Exaggerates
Males
Stereotypes
Norm

Question 27

An example of Alpha bias could be shown in research on relationships suggesting males seek a partner that is young and attractive whereas females seek a man with resources (e.g. high paid jobs), What impact does this have on gender?

Answer 27

Reinforces gender stereotypes.

Question 28

Give an example of Alpha bias shown in research on relationships.

Answer 28

Research on relationships suggesting males seek a partner that is young and attractive whereas females seek a man with resources (e.g. high paid jobs).

Question 29

AO3: How can gender bias within research provide a scientific reasoning to deny women opportunities within employment and validate discrimination?

Answer 29

Alpha bias research suggest that females are dependent on males. Evolutionary psychology emphasises any gender differences are innate, due to genetics, which gives a biological justification for gender bias within society.

Question 30

AO3: Male researchers label females as irrational or unreasonable, with the use of quantitative data. Why is this a problem fir women?

Answer 30

If we continue with this methodology (quantitative data, as opposed to qualitative data, to understand women), it may have negative consequences for women when generalised beyond the setting of the experiment.

Question 31

AO3: What did Tarvis say should be altered in the methodology of research to ensure equality for female?

Answer 31

Research should have more qualitative data collection methods such as interviews to fully understand female behaviour.

(Male researchers label females as irrational or unreasonable, with the use of quantitative data).

Question 32

AO3: Practical applications How can the concept of gender bias in research help individuals in the real world?

Answer 32

It can help to identify biological difference between males and females.

Question 33

AO3: Practical Application: Eagly (1978) found females to be less effective leaders than males. How can this research finding be used to help people in the real world?

Answer 33

It can help researchers to develop training programmes aimed at reducing the lack of female leaders in the real-world.