Lesson 1 - Gender Bias Flashcards
Define Gender Bias
The differential treatment and/or representation of males and females, usually based on stereotypes and not on real differences.
Define Alpha Bias
Alpha bias is when theories and studies overestimate or exaggerate the differences between males and females
Define Beta Bias
A beta bias refers to theories or studies that minimise or underestimate the differences between males and females. These theories often just assume men and women are the same in said scenario.
Define Androcentrism
Theories which are centred or focused on males. Gender bias may also result in androcentrism in the sense that men’s behaviour is seen as the norm, and any other behaviour might be judged as abnormal.
Define Universality
The belief that some behaviours are the same for both genders.
Who came up with the two types of gender bias?
Hare-Mustin and Marecek (1988)
Name one study that has beta bias
Asch 1951 and 1955. He used a purely male sample, and then it was assumed that females would respond in the same way.
Name one study that shows alpha bias
Freud’s psychodynamic theory
Name one example that shows Androcentrism
On the list of the ‘100 most influential psychologists of the 20th century’, only 6 of them were women. The other 94 were men.
Evaluation of gender bias - Issues go unchallenged.
Many issues go unchallenged for prolonged periods of time. For example, Darwin’s established theory of sexual selection suggests that women are more selective when it comes to picking a mate. These views have only recently been challenged by DNA evidence, suggesting that women are equally as competitive as men when the need arises.
Evaluation of Gender Bias - Studies that emphasise the role of women
Some psychologists aim to fight gender bias by doing studies that emphasise the importance of the value of women. Cornwell (2013) noted that females are better at learning, as they are more attentive and organised, which emphasises the positive attributes of women.
Evaluation of Gender Bias - Feminism
Another way to reduce gender bias could be taking a feminist approach. This aims to reduce the imbalance in psychological theories and research. For example, Eagly (1978) claims that females are less effective leaders than males, yet Eagly stated this so that training programmes for leaders cater to women more prominently.
However, to prioritise women in psychology could also be a negative, as it is still gender bias, just towards women instead of men.
Evaluation of Gender Bias - It can sometimes work against males
Occasionally, alpha bias theories can heighten the value of women. For example. Chodorow (1978) viewed women as more relational and caring. Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with depression, and are more likely to be given treatment than males. There is an expectation that men should be able to ‘pull themselves together’ which may highlight an issue with the diagnostic systems for mental disorders.
