gender and culture in psychology

Question 1

gender bias

Answer 1

The differential treatment or representation of men and women based on stereotypes rather than real difference

Question 2

Alpha Bias

Answer 2

A tendency to exaggerate differences between men and women, suggesting real and enduring differences

Question 3

consequences of Alpha Bias

Answer 3

Theories devalue one gender in comparison to the other, typically devaluing women

Question 4

an example of Alpha Bias related to psychodynamic explanations for offending behavior

Answer 4

Freud suggested females are less moral than males because they do not experience castration anxiety, leading to a deviant superego

Question 5

Androcentrism

Answer 5

The consequence of beta bias where all behavior is compared according to a ‘male’ standard, neglecting or excluding women

Question 6

Beta Bias

Answer 6

A tendency to ignore or minimize differences between men and women

Question 7

an example of beta bias in research

Answer 7

Research on fight or flight response was conducted exclusively with male animals, assuming findings apply to females

Question 8

significance of universality in psychological theories

Answer 8

aims to develop theories that apply to all people, regardless of their differences

Question 9

What does the beta bias in fight or flight research ignore

Answer 9

Differences between the sexes, such as speed and extent of the fight or flight response.

Question 10

culture

Answer 10

The rules, customs, morals and ways of interacting that bind together members of a society or some other collection of people

Question 11

cultural bias

Answer 11

The tendency to judge all cultures and individuals in terms of your own cultural assumptions

Question 12

cultural relativism

Answer 12

The view that behaviour, morals, standards and values cannot be judged properly unless they are viewed in the context of the culture in which they originate

Question 13

example of cultural relativism

Answer 13

Milgram’s study into obedience was replicated using Spanish students, who showed over 90% obedience, and Australian students, who showed only 16% obedience

Question 14

ethnocentrism

Answer 14

Seeing things from the point of view of ourselves and our social group, evaluating other groups using one’s own cultural standards

Question 15

What can extreme ethnocentrism lead to

Answer 15

Prejudice and discrimination against ‘lesser’ cultures

Question 16

indigenous psychologies

Answer 16

The development of different groups of theories in different countries as a method to counter ethnocentrism

Question 17

example of ethnocentrism

Answer 17

Ainsworth’s Strange Situation, which deemed German mothers as cold based on their children’s reactions

Question 18

emic approach

Answer 18

An approach that emphasises the uniqueness of each culture

Question 19

etic approach

Answer 19

An approach that seeks universal aspects of behaviour

Question 20

How can cultural bias be avoided in research

Answer 20

By using indigenous researchers in each cultural setting

Question 21

gender bias - strengths

Answer 21

✅ Raises awareness
→ Example: The David Reimer case (Gender) revealed how assuming gender identity is entirely social led to harm, showing the importance of addressing gender bias in research.

✅ Historical insights
→ Example: Freud’s psychodynamic theory (Gender) was androcentric, portraying femininity as inferior, highlighting how psychology has mirrored male-dominated values.

Question 22

gender bias - limitations

Answer 22

❌ Still prevalent
→ Example: Many gender studies generalise male findings to females — e.g. Asch’s conformity study (Social Influence) only used male participants, making it biased in application.

❌ Alpha and beta bias issues
→ Example: Zimbardo’s prison study (Forensics) underrepresented female experiences of institutional aggression and conformity, a beta bias ignoring gender differences

Question 23

culture bias - strengths

Answer 23

✅ Promotes cultural awareness
→ Example: Asch and Milgram (Social Influence) were both conducted in the US — later cross-cultural replications (e.g. in collectivist cultures) found different results, raising awareness of ethnocentrism.

✅ Increases diversity
→ Example: CBT for Schizophrenia (Schizophrenia) has been adapted for use in different cultural contexts, showing psychology can grow beyond Western assumptions.

Question 24

culture bias - limitations

Answer 24

❌ Western bias persists
→ Example: Gottesman’s twin study (Schizophrenia) and most genetic studies have been conducted on Western populations, which may not represent global patterns.

❌ Misinterpretation risk
→ Example: Forensic research using Eysenck’s theory risks misinterpreting criminality patterns across cultures by assuming the same biological personality traits explain offending everywhere