LS1 - Gender Bias Flashcards
Gender Bias
The differential treatment/representation of males and females based on stereotypes as opposed to real differences.
Alpha Bias
The theories that overestimate/overexaggerate the differences between males and females.
Beta Bias
Studies that ignore/minimise sex differences, assuming findings from males can be equally applied to females.
Androcentrism
Theories focused on males, gender bias can lead to this as people believe men’s behaviour represents the norm.
Universality
Believing that some behaviours are the same for both genders
Maccoby And Jenkin’s 4 Real Differences
- Girls have a greater verbal ability
- Boys have greater visual and spatial ability
- Boys have greater arithmetical ability, which only appears during adolescence
- Girls are less aggressive than boys.
Example Of Alpha Bias
The evolutionary approach suggests evolutionary processes explain why men are more dominant and why women are more parental and why men are more likely to commit adultery. However, society has changed and evolutionary approaches shouldn’t justify gender differences.
Example Of Beta Bias
Asch’s conformity studies involved all male participants as did other conformity studies and it was assumed women would act the same.
Example Of Androcentrism
The American Psychological Association has published a list of the 100 most influential psychologists of the 20th century which included only 6 women. This suggests that psychology has traditionally been a subject produced by men, for men and about men.
Gender Bias Strengths
Solutions Are Being Thought Of
Feminist Approach
Society Better For Females
Gender Bias Weaknesses
Can Work Against Men
Can Go Unchallenged
Solutions Are Being Thought Of (+)
Some psychologists have suggested theories focusing on the importance/value of women. Cornwall Et Al’s research noted females are better at learning, attentive and organised, reducing gender stereotypes.
Feminist Approach (+)
Can restore the balance in psychological theories, as it still accepts there are biological differences between men and women.
Society Better For Females (+)
As society changes females have progressed further in academic discipline, and therefore the gap has changed since earlier research.
Can Work Against Men (-)
Sometimes alpha bias heightens the value of women e.g. they’ve been describe as more caring and more likely to be diagnosed and treated for depression.
