gender bias

Question 1

what is gender?

Answer 1

social and psychological characteristics of males and females

Question 2

what is sex?

Answer 2

refers to biological factors

Question 3

what is gender 2? what is gender bias

Answer 3

• behavioural, cultural and psychological characteristics that distinguish males from females
• often closely linked biological sex - but sex doesnt always equate gender
• psych research/theory may offer view that doesnt justifiably rep the experience + behaviour men/women

Question 4

what is universality?

Answer 4

• all research applies equally to both genders
• psychologists like to believe can create theories + explanations = universal - regardless time/culture
• not always case

Question 5

what are three main ways that gender bias can occur?

Answer 5

• male samples
• male behaviour as standard
• biological differences emphasis

Question 6

how are male samples a way in which gender bias can occur?

Answer 6

male samples - being generalised to females suggesting will produce same results

Question 7

how is male behaviour as standard a way in which gender bias can occur?

Answer 7

male behaviour as standard - considered normal causing female behaviour different to men = deviation from norm

Question 8

how is an emphasis on biological differences a way in which gender bias can occur?

Answer 8

biological differences emphasis - explanations that emphasise the biology of the individual + underestimates role of social + external factors

Question 9

what is androcentrism?

Answer 9

• male-centred
• normal behaviour is judged according to a male standard meaning female behaviour judged as abnormal in comparison
• leads to female beh = misunderstood or pathologised
• ex. PMS - premenstrual syndrome

Question 10

what is an example of women’s behaviour being pathologised?

Answer 10

• many feminists object to diagnosis of PMS
• stereotypes female exp + has been argued that this means female emotions + anger explained with hormones
• male anger often explained as rational response to external pressures

Question 11

what are the consequences of androcentrism?

Answer 11

• alpha bias
• beta bias

Question 12

what is beta bias?

Answer 12

• attempt to downplay the differences between the genders
• fight/flight response documented as being universal
• research by lee + harley 2012 = women more likely to ‘tend + befriend’

Question 13

what is alpha bias?

Answer 13

• attempt to exaggerate the differences between the genders
• enhances/under values members of either sex + historically under value females
  ex. chodorow 1968 - mothers + daughters greater connectedness than sons + mothers due to biological similarities
• because of child’s closeness - women = better abilities to bond with others + empathise

Question 14

evaluate gender bias

Answer 14

• dalton - female behaviour
• publish bias
• cornwell - reduce it
• can actually be differences - ingalhalikar

Question 15

how is gender bias about female behaviour a limitation?

Answer 15

• can cause misleading info
• stereotypes that validate discriminatory behaviour
• dalton 1964 suggested that during menstrual cycle women have more accidents + lower iq
• paints women as volatile with little control over behaviour allowing discrimination ex. lower employment rates

Question 16

how is helping to reduce/challenge gender stereotypes a strength?

Answer 16

• from developing a good understanding - solutions put forward
• cornwell et al 2013 noted females = better at learning - more attentive + organised
• emphasise both value + positive attributes of women
• challenge + reduce gender bias

Question 17

how is gender-biased publish bias research a limitation of gender bias?

Answer 17

• research challenging gender biases may not be published
• 2018 - analysed 1000+ articles relating to gender bias published over 8 years
• found research on gender bias funded less often + not published prestigious journals
• less aware + apply it

Question 18

how is the possibility that there may actually be gender differences a strength of gender bias?

Answer 18

• psychologists should not avoid studying differences
• ingalhalikar et al 2014 - suggests stereotype of women better at multitasking - some truth
• women’s brain may benefit from better connections between right + left hemisphere than in man’s
• may be differences BUT must be wary of exaggeration