Gender Bias

Question 1

What is gender bias

Answer 1

The differential treatment and representation of males and females based on stereotypes and real differences

Question 2

E.g of gender biases in institutions

Answer 2

Female psychology students outnumber males but as senior teaching and researching level in uni is male dominated so the research adgenda follows male concerns

Question 3

Main type of gender bias

Answer 3

The main type is andocentrism and these are theories that are focused on males and is split into 2 parts

Question 4

Alpha Bias

Answer 4

Theories that exaggerate the differences between males and females

Question 5

E.g of Alpha bias

Answer 5

When Freud states there are genuine psychological differences between males and females as he suggests women are inferior due to young girls suffering penis envy

Question 6

Beta Bias

Answer 6

Theories that ignore of minimise sex differences and often assume findings from males can apply to females

E.g: Asch’s study of conformity

Question 7

Eval - Biological view of mental illness (W)

Answer 7

. In biopsych view, illnesses such as depression can be explained in terms of chemical inbalances
. 2x as many women diagnosed with depression and psychologists tend to suggest its due to hormonal differences and that women are just ‘hormonal’
. Doesn’t take into account social factors such as toxic masculinity and claim women as biologically inferior

Question 8

Eval - Led to some theorists to argue for female qualities (S)

Answer 8

. Gender bias in psych has outlined women’s treatment to other psychologists and led them to try and enforce change
. Assert worth and valuation of ‘female qualities’
. Strength as led to healthy criticism of cultural values that pride certain ‘male’ qualities such as aggression

Question 9

Eval - Equal Treatment (S)

Answer 9

. Beta bias in particular has made people see men and women as the same
. Led to equal treatment in legal terms and equal access too
. Strength as has improved womens position in society as psychologists have argued males and females are a lot more similar than society first thought

COUNTER - ARGUMENT = women shouldn’t get equal treatment as declared they are a lot like males - should be because their unique traits are just as important