Gender Bias

Question 1

Break down the points on the issue of gender bias

Answer 1

Universality and bias
Alpha bias
Examples of alpha bias
Beta bias
Examples of beta bias
Androcentrism

Question 2

Tell me about Alpha and Beta bias

Answer 2

Alpha - differences between the sexes are usually presented as fixed and inevitable

Beta - Ignoring or underestimating differences between men and women often occurs when female participants are not included in research process but it is assumed findings will equally apply to both sexes

Question 3

Examples of Alpha and Beta bias

Answer 3

Alpha - Psychodynamic theory

Alpha bias favours males - Freud claimed that in the Phallic stage, desire for opposite sex parent is resolved by identification with the same sex parent. But girl’s identification is weaker creating a weaker supergo and weaker moral development.

Can also have alpha bias favouring females

Beta - fight or flight, tend and befriend

Early research into fight or flight as based on male animals (because female hormones fluctuate). Fight of flight was assumed to be a universal response to threat. Taylor et al (2000) suggested that female sex have a tend and befriend response governed by the hormone oxytocin which is more plentiful in women than men and reduce the fight r flight response. it is an evolved response for caring for young.

Question 4

What is androcentrism

Answer 4

Alpha and beta bias are consequences of androcentrism (theories centred on males)

This leads to female behaviour being misunderstood and even pathologized (taken as a sign of illness)

Question 5

Universality and bias

Answer 5

Psychologists process belief and values influenced but eh social and historical context they were in (ie Freud). This may undermine psychologist claims to discover facts about human behaviour that re objective, value free and consent across time and culture (universality).

Bias is leaning towards a personal views do not reflect reality. Psychological theory and research may not accurately relay the experience and behaviour of women (gender bias).

Question 6

Evaluation points

Answer 6

Limitations:

Limitation that gender differences are fixed and enduring - counterpoint

Promotes sexism

Research challenging bias may not be published

Question 7

Evaluation about limitation of gender differences being fixed

Answer 7

Maccoby and Jacklin (1974) concluded that girls have better verbal ability and boys have better spatial ability - due to hardwires biological brain differences

Joel et al (1025) used brain scanning and found no gender differences

This suggests that we should be wary of accepting research as biological factors when it might be explained as actual stereotypes.

Question 8

Counterpoint to fixed gender point

Answer 8

A 2014 study suggests the popular social stereotype that females are better at multitasking may have some biological truth to it - their hemispheres are better connected

This suggests that there may be biological differences but we still should be wary of exaggerating effect they may have on behaviour

Question 9

Point on gender bias promoting sexism

Answer 9

Women are underrepresented in university departments. Research is more likely o be conducted by males which may disadvantage females.

For example, a male researcher may expect female participants to be irrational and unable to complete complex tasks which mean they underperform (Nicolson 1995)

This means that the institutional structures and methods of psychology may produce findings that are gender-biased.

Question 10

Point on research challenging gender bias may not be published

Answer 10

Study analysed 1000 articles relating to gender bias - such researcher is funded less often and is published by less prestigious journals

This is still held true when gender bias was compared to ethnic bias, and when other factors were controlled (eg. the gender of the author(d) and methodology).

This suggests that gender bias in psychological researcher may not be taken as seriously as other forms of bias.

Question 11

Good or bad? evaluation point

Answer 11

Gender biased research creates misleading assumptions about female behaviour, fails to challenge negative stereotypes and validates discriminatory practices.

However, modern researchers recognise the effect assumptions have on their work (reflexivity) an embrace them as a crucial aspect of research process.

This suggests that gender bias any add extra dimension to research id psychologists are up front about it in their work.