Issues and debates - gender bias

Question 1

what is universality ?

Answer 1

an underlying characteristic of human beings that is capable of being applied to all despite differences in upbringing and experience

Question 2

what is bias

Answer 2

a tendency to treat one individual or group in a different way from others

Question 3

what is gender bias ?

Answer 3

psychological research or experience that does not justifiably represent the experience of men and women.

Question 4

what does the representation of one gender only relate to ?

Answer 4

gender bias

Question 5

what are three types of gender bias

Answer 5

alpha bias
beta bias
androcentrism- possible consequence of beta bias

Question 6

what is alpha bias ?

Answer 6

psychological research that exaggerates or overestimates the differences between sexes.

Question 7

alpha bias - what can the differences be described as ?

Answer 7

fixed and inevitable

Question 8

Alpha bias
what are the differences likely to do in relation to females

Answer 8

devalue them

Question 9

what is an example of alpha bias

Answer 9

the sociobiological theory -

sexual promiscuity in males is genetically determined whilst the females who engage in the same behaviour are regarded as going against their nature.

• shows exaggeration of differences between the sexes

Question 10

what is beta bias ?

Answer 10

theories ignore or minimise the differences between the sexes. This usually occurs when only one sex has been included in research but results are applied to all

Question 11

what is an example of beta bias ?

Answer 11

fight or flight response

early research into fight or flight was based exclusively on males - assumed to be universal response.

Taylor et al (2000)-

female biology evolved to inhibit fight or flight response.

attention is shifted to caring for offspring and forming defensive networks with females

Question 12

what is androcentrism ?

Answer 12

male centred, when normal behaviour is judged according to a male standard (female behaviour is judged to be deficient or abnormal by comparison)

Question 13

if female behaviour is pathologised what does this mean ?

Answer 13

taken as a sign of psychological instability or disorder

Question 14

what is an example of androcentrism ?

Answer 14

pre menstrual syndrome

stereotypes and trivialises female experience

social construction - explains female emotions such as anger in hormonal terms

whereas male anger - rational response to external pressure

Question 15

what are some problems associated with gender bias ?

Answer 15

discrimination

reinforcing stereotypes

inaccurate research

Question 16

what is a negative impact of gender bias (damaging consequences)

Answer 16

gender bias can lead to misleading assumptions and negative stereotypes about female behaviour

male behaviour as standard - female behaviour is seen as abnormal

eg (PMS)

research may unknowingly lead to male dominated society. → opportunities for women decrease

impact - damaging consequences for women in real life

Question 17

what is a positive impact of gender bias (more valid data)

Answer 17

number of criteria suggested by female commentators to ensure non biased research.

eg worrel (1992)

alternative methods of inquiry to explore the personal lives of women.

considering women in the natural setting in which they function

reduces investigator bias which may affect female behaviour → more valid data

Question 18

what is a negative impact of gender bias (sexism)

Answer 18

gender bias may occur in research due to sexism

lack of women appointed at senior research levels.

females concerns not reflected

denmark et al → psychology may be guilty of supporting institutional sexism which causes bias

Question 19

what is a positive impact of gender bias research (improve experience)

Answer 19

feminist psychology accepts there are biological differences between males and females

looks at how to reduce these

eagly 1978

females less effective leaders than males

development of training programmes → reduce the lack of female leaders

recognising gender bias can improve experiences.