Gender Bias

Question 1

AO1: What is gender bias

Answer 1

Gender bias refers to the tendency to favor one gender over another in psychological research, theory, or practice.

Question 1

AO1: what is androcentrism
AO1: how it portrays males, and females

Answer 1

Androcentrism is when psychological theories assume a male point of view. Androcentrism portrays the male as the norm or standard, with the female being seen as less capable and or inferior

Question 2

AO1: What may lead to gender bias

Answer 2

Failure to consider adequately differences between men and women can lead to gender bias, based on stereotypes rather than real differences

Question 3

AO1: Consequences of androcentrism
(understanding of gender, females in society)

Answer 3

This approach may result in a distorted understanding of gender, and it can lead to the marginalisation of women in several aspects of life within and outside of the field of psychology.

Question 4

AO1: What is alpha bias

Answer 4

Another type of gender bias is alpha bias is when there is a misrepresentation of behaviour as theorists overestimate differences.

Question 5

AO1: What types of studies does alpha bias arise from

Answer 5

This type of bias often results from studies that are based on a patriarchal ideology.

Question 6

AO1: impacts of alpha bias on the scientific community and steryotypes

Answer 6

Alpha bias affects the scientific community’s understanding and interpretation of gender differences and can perpetuate stereotypes

Question 7

AO1: Alpha bias: For example, studies that suggest that women are less _____than men may be used to _______ sex discrimination

Answer 7

RATIONAL, JUSTIFY

Question 8

AO1: Example study of alpha bias

Answer 8

An example of alpha bias in research is the study by Baron-Cohen et al. (2005), which suggested that men and women have different cognitive styles, with men being systematisers and women being empathisers.

Question 9

AO1: What is beta bias

Answer 9

Beta bias is when there is a misrepresentation of behaviour as theorists underestimate differences, often resulting in a misrepresentation of the findings of a study.

Question 10

AO1: when/ how may beta bias occur

Answer 10

Beta bias may occur when researchers assume that what applies to men also applies to women without considering the hormonal, developmental, and cultural differences between the sexes.

Question 11

What are the four AO3s?

Answer 11

• alpha bias steryotypes (Wilson 1975), discriminatory, traditional role deviation (-)
• gender bias scientifically misleading (Asch 1951) all male, misrepresent (-)
• gender bias economical (Lynn 2011) (-)
• beta bias psychological theories (Taylor et al 2000) tend and befriend, leads to androcentrism, less accurate

Question 12

AO3: Alpha bias steryotypes (Wilson 1975), discriminatory, traditional role deviation (-)

Answer 12

P: An implication of gender bias is its perpetuation of stereotypes, such as through alpha bias.

E: For instance, Wilson (1975) argued that males are naturally inclined to impregnate as many females as possible, while females are tasked with ensuring offspring survival, framing promiscuity in males as genetically driven and women as going against their supposed natural role.

E:This demonstrates alpha bias within psychology, whereby it is overestimating gender differences between males and females, which may reinforce prejudiced beliefs about women who deviate from traditional gender roles such as through female promiscuity. As a result, it can be argued that gender bias upholds discriminatory attitudes between genders which can present a significant obstacle to achieving gender equality not only within the field of psychological research, but in society itself. Perhaps by ensuring psychologists are aware of gender bias and its implications, they can minimise its interference with their research, thus promoting more balanced and accurate findings.

L: Therefore, as psychologists gain awareness on gender bias, they can ensure future research is free from the constraints of gender stereotypes and discrimination.

Question 13

Gender bias scientifically misleading (Asch 1951) all male, misrepresent (-)

Answer 13

P: A further consequence of gender bias is that it may be scientifically misleading.

E: This can be exemplified in Asch’s (1951) conformity study, as it fails to account for potential differences in how men and women may respond to social conformity pressures, through his all male sample.

E: This matters because the presence of subjectivity within his study can make it harder to validate his findings as being universal. Such bias can misrepresent the true nature of human behaviour and limit the generalisability of research findings, thus limiting the scientific credibility of conclusions drawn as with Asch.

L: Therefore, if the sample is only represented by one gender, it is important for the researcher to make it clear in reporting that any conclusions drawn relate only to the gender of the sample.

Question 14

AO3: gender bias economical (Lynn 2011) (-)

Answer 14

P: A further consequence of gender bias is that it may be scientifically misleading.

E: This can be exemplified in Asch’s (1951) conformity study, as it fails to account for potential differences in how men and women may respond to social conformity pressures, through his all male sample.

E: This matters because the presence of subjectivity within his study can make it harder to validate his findings as being universal. Such bias can misrepresent the true nature of human behaviour and limit the generalisability of research findings, thus limiting the scientific credibility of conclusions drawn as with Asch.

L: Therefore, if the sample is only represented by one gender, it is important for the researcher to make it clear in reporting that any conclusions drawn relate only to the gender of the sample.

Question 15

AO3: beta bias psychological theories (Taylor et al 2000) tend and befriend, leads to androcentrism, less accurate

Answer 15

P: Finally, some psychological theories may be criticised for beta bias.

E: For example, Taylor et al (2000) states they are more likely to adopt a ‘tend and befriend’ response in stressful situations, where they’re more likely to protect offspring and form alliances with other women.

E: This matters because it shows how the ‘fight or flight’ response neglects female’s potentially different stress reactions to males, underestimating gender differences. This may indicate androcentrism, which assumes a male perspective on stress responses and applies it universally to both genders.

E: This may limit our understanding of responses to stress in individuals, therefore undermining the importance of addressing gender bias when aiming to ensure a comprehensive and accurate understanding within psychological theories.