Lesson 1 - Gender bias Flashcards
What is gender bias?
The differential treatment and/or representation of males and females based on stereotypes and not on real differences
Alpha bias
Refers to theories/studies that overly emphasise or overestimate the differences between males and females
Beta bias
Refers to theories/studies that ignore or minimise differences between the sexes. They assume that findings in one gender can apply to another
Androcentrism
Theories that are centred on or focused on males. Studies that believe that men’s behaviour represents the norm and as a consequence women’s behaviour are abnormal.
Universality
Believing that behaviours are the same for both genders and can be applied to both genders
Hare-Mustin and Maracek (1988)
Argued that there are two types of gender bias - Alpha and Beta bias
Examples of alpha bias in research
- Freud’s Psychodynamic Theory. Freud argued that because girls do not suffer from the oedipus complex as boys, they do not identify with their mothers as strongly as boys identify with their fathers, so develop weaker superegos and are therefore morally weaker. This exaggerates differences between men and women
- The evolutionary approach suggests that men are more dominant and women have a more parental investment in their offspring. It also explains why men are more likely to commit adultery (sneak copulation).
- Bowlby’s Maternal Deprivation Theory places a disproportional amount of emphasis on the role of the mother opposed to the role of the father. If the mother is absent in early childhood for extended periods of time, this causes later issues with relationships, but does not emphasise the same about the father.
Examples of beta bias in research
- Animal studies into the fight-or flight response. These studies are generally carried out with male animals because of fewer hormonal changes. It was assumed that this would not be a problem as the response would be the same for both genders. Taylor et al (2000) challenged this view by providing evidence that females produce a tend-and-befriend response. Therefore gender differences were ignored
- Kohlberg’s stage theory or moral development. Based off of extensive interviews that were conducted with boys aged 10-16. The same sample of boys were re-interviewed at intervals of 3-4 years over 20 years. Gilligan (1982) found that women tend to be more focused on relationships when making moral decisions and therefore often appear to be at a lower level or moral reasoning using this model. A real difference was therefore ignored.
- Moscovici (1972). Used 172 female participants, and findings into consistency in position of the minority was generalised across both genders
- Adorno (1950), 4,000 males
Examples of androcentrism in psychology
Most psychologists are males, therefore subconsciously producing a male dominated version of the world. The APA produced a list of 100 of the most influential psychologists of the 20th Century, with only 6 women.
Strengths of gender bias
- Psychologists attempt to develop theories that emphasise the importance or value of women. Cornwell et al (2013) noted that females are better at learning as they are more attentive and organised thus emphasising both the value of and the positives attributes of women. These examples of research therefore reduces or challenges gender stereotypes and reduces gender biases.
- Worrell (1992) also suggested a number or research criteria that are essential in research investigations to make sure they are not gender biased: using alternative methods of inquiry into the lives of women, like natural settings, and exploring diverse samples.
- It is also important to note that when a theory is described as universal, it means that it can apply to all people irrespective of gender. However, this also means that it needs to include real differences. Therefore, we need to develop theories that show the similarities and differences between the genders without devaluing either gender.
