Issues and Debates: Gender Bias Flashcards
(10 cards)
what’s universality?
any underlying characteristics of human beings that is capable of applying to all, despite differences of experience and upbringing.
what’s gender bias?
when considering human behaviour, bias is a tendency to treat individuals or groups in a different way to others. psychology research may not offer views that justifiably represent the experience of men and women.
what’s alpha bias?
when research exaggerates or overestimates differences between sexes. these may enhance or undervalue members of either sex, typically women.
what’s an example of alpha bias?
sociobiological theory of relationship formation which explains sexual attraction. it’s in the male’s interest to impregnate as many women as possible to ensure his genes get passed down to the next generation. whereas women best chance of preserving genes is ensuring healthy survival. this theory is stating that women are going against their nature by engaging in same behaviours as men
what’s beta bias?
differences between males and females are underexaggerated or minimised. this occurs when women are often not included in research and assumed findings apply to both sexes.
what’s an example of beta bias?
fight or flight response. early research into fight or flight was based exclusively on male animals as they were preferred as females hormones flucuate. it was assumed to be universal. Taylor suggested females have shifted attention towards tend and befriend.
what’s androcentrism?
‘normal’ behaviour has been drawn from research concerning all-male samples. any behaviour that deviates from this standard is seen as abnormal and inferior. this leads to female behaviour being misunderstood.
what’s the implications of gender bias? (A03)
it creates misleading assumptions about female behaviour and fails to challenge negative stereotypes. it may provide justification to deny females oppotunities in the workplace or in wider society. Tavris said ‘it becomes normal for women to feel abnormal’. gender bias has damaging consequences for women.
how can gender bias lead to sexism? (A03)
lack of females in senior research levels means female concerns may not be reflected in research. male researchers are more likely to have their work published and studies of gender difference are more likely to appear. female participants in lab experiments are placed at a disadvantage with usual male researchers who can label them as unreasonable and irrational. psychology is guilty of sexism.
what can female psychologists say gender bias?
Worrell + Remer put forward a number of criterias that should be followed to avoid gender bias. women should be studied in meaningful contexts, and genuinely participate rather than be objects. diversity in groups of women should be examined and greater emphasis on collecting qualitative data.
