Gender Bias

Question 1

Gender bias often goes unopposed - Assumptions need to be examined and challenged

Answer 1

A major issue in the area of gender bias is that, although it is improving, there are still examples of gender bias that go unchallenged. For example, the Evolutionary theory of
sexual selection portrays women as choosy and males as the ones who compete to be chosen. This is because it pays, in terms of ultimate reproductive success, for females to
be more selective because the costs (to produce eggs) are high. However, these views have recently been challenged by DNA evidence suggesting that women are equally as competitive as men, when economics allow. This therefore highlights the importance of
continually challenging earlier gender research, in order to reduce gender bias, to ensure that a valid picture of women is portrayed in contemporary studies.

Question 2

Reducing gender bias

Answer 2

A positive that we have gained from the research into gender bias,
is that through learning about it, contemporary psychologists have looked for ways to reduce gender bias. For example, some psychologists attempt to develop theories that emphasise both the value, and the positive attributes of women. For example, Cornwell
et al found that women are better at learning because they are more attentive. This idea goes against the view that in any gender differences the male position must be better, and due to this, this may help to change people’s misconceptions about gender differences.
This suggests that the gender bias research is helping us to challenge gender stereotypes which is important in reducing gender bias.

Question 3

Implications of gender bias

Answer 3

There are a number of negative implications of gender- biased research, such as failing to challenge negative stereotypes and providing a scientific justification to deny women opportunities within the workplace or in wider society. For example, many feminist writers have objected to the diagnostic category of pre-menstrual syndrome on the grounds that it stereotypes and trivialises female
experience. Critics claim that PMS is a social construction which medicalises female emotions, especially anger, by explaining these in hormonal terms. Male anger, on the other hand, is often seen as a rational response to external pressures (Brescoll & Uhlman
2008). Thus gender bias in research may have damaging consequences which affect the lives and prospects of women in work.