Issues and debates Flashcards
What is bias
Bias refers to any factor (e.g. attitudes, behaviours, beliefs) that interferes with the validity (i.e. the ‘truth’) of the research process
What is gender bias
Gender bias occurs when one gender is either favoured over another gender or one gender is discriminated against e.g. via prejudicial attitudes or behaviour
What is alpha bias
Alpha bias occurs when researchers over-emphasize differences between males and females
What is beta bias
Beta bias occurs when researchers ignore of downplay differences between males and females
Which studies show gender bias
Social Influence: research by Milgram (1963), Asch (1951, 1955) and Zimbardo (1973) used all-male samples to draw conclusions about the nature of, respectively, destructive obedience, normative conformity and conformity to social roles
The possible consequences of gender bias
Prejudice, discrimination and sexism are viewed as normal and acceptable
Female researchers may receive less funding as their role as serious psychologists may be questioned
The male viewpoint/behaviour becomes the ‘norm’ or the model for behaviour generally which could lead to female behaviour being viewed as ‘abnormal’
What is culture bias
Culture bias occurs when one culture prevails over others so that the beliefs, attitudes, values and behaviours of that culture are viewed as the norm
What is culture relativism
Cultural relativism is the idea that cultures can only be understood from within that culture i.e. by taking an emic approach
Which studies show culture bias
Attachment: research by Ainsworth (1970) assumed that attachment could be measured and categorised using the norms and values of her own culture
The possible consequences of culture bias
Prejudice, discrimination and racism are viewed as normal and acceptable
Researchers who are from collectivist, non-Westernised cultures may receive less funding as their role as serious psychologists may be questioned
How can researchers avoid gender and culture bias?
Use a representative sample in their research: stratified sampling would achieve this aim as it reflects the gender and culture demographic within the target population
Conduct research within the context of the group itself so that there is meaningful participation from women/cultural groups
Ensure that female and ethnic minority researchers are given funding equal to the dominant group and that published research is given equal status to the dominant group
Free will vs determinism
The difference between being actively in charge of your own behaviour and outcomes (free will) or giving in to ‘fate’ and other external forces to decide your destiny (determinism)
Hard determinism
the view that forces outside of our control (e.g. biology or past experience) shape our behaviour
Soft determinism
soft determinism says that we are determined and are nonetheless still free
What is biological determinism
this type of determinism assumes that biological processes control behaviour e.g. neurotransmission, hormones, genes
