ISSUES - GENDER BIAS

Question 1

Define gender bias

Answer 1

• failure to consider adequate differences between men and women

Question 2

Define alpha bias in the context of gender

Answer 2

overemphasises differences between men and women

Question 3

Define beta bias in the context of gender

Answer 3

underestimates differences between men and women

Question 4

Example of alpha bias

Answer 4

FREUD
argued there were genuine psychological diff between genders
his theories suggest that women are inferior as young girls suffer from ‘penis envy’
he reviewed femininity as a failed form of masculinity

Question 5

Example of beta bias

Answer 5

FIGHT OR FLIGHT
biol research into F/F = carried out on male animals
assumed it wouldnt be a problem as F/F is same for both genders
however - Taylor et al. (2002): females adopt a ‘tend and befriend’ response in stressful/dangerous situations

Question 6

Limitation of alpha bias

Answer 6

there is a misrepresentation of behaviour researchers/theorists overestimate/exaggerate gender differences

Question 7

Limitation of beta bias

Answer 7

there is a misrepresentation of behaviour because researchers/theorists underestimate/minimise gender differences

Question 8

AO3: gender bias: limitation: issues often go unchallenged

Answer 8

F/F - Taylor et al - tend and befriend - beta bias

Question 9

AO3: gender bias: strength: contemporary psych’s have looked for ways to reduce gender bias

Answer 9

Eg. some psychologists attempt to devel theories that emphasise the importance or value of women
Cornwell et al. (2013) - females are better at learning as they are more attentive and organised
this type of reasearch reduces and challenges gender stereotypes

Question 10

AO3: gender bias: limitation: may result in androcentrism

Answer 10

male behav taken as the norm
leads to misundertanding of female behav
women are more likely to be diagnosed with disorders (Premenstrual dysphoric disorder - PMDD)
medicalises normal female experiences
reduces validty as doesnt accurately represent the exp of 1/2 the pop

Question 11

AO3: gender bias: limitation: lack of universality

Answer 11

classic studies (eg. Milgram, Asch) were conducted using male ptps then generalised to both genders
reduces application to findings to just males

Question 12

What is androcentrism

Answer 12

• male-centred or male-biased view of the world
• male behaviour and masculine traits are judged to be the norm/acceptable/desirable
• female behaviour/feminine traits are judged to be abnormal/less acceptable/less desirable

Question 13

What is gynocentrism

Answer 13

• female-centred or female-biased view of the world
• female behaviour and feminine traits are judged to be the norm/acceptable/desirable
• male behaviour/masculine traits are judged to be abnormal/less acceptable/less desirable

Question 14

Example of androcentrism

Answer 14

ASCH
1955 conformity studies
end up w/ view that the view of human nature is meant to apply to both genders, but has male (andocentric) view
when later studied, females = higher conformity rates

Question 15

Ways to avoid gender bias in research

Answer 15

• do not extrapolate findings from research with male participants to females OR do not extrapolate findings from research with female participants to males
• use both male and female participants in research
• involve both male and female researchers
• do not exaggerate differences between males and females where there are no real differences – avoid alpha bias
• do not minimise or ignore real differences between the behaviour of males and females – avoid beta bias
• be sensitive to male and female norms/standards when designing research/when reporting findings
• take a reflexive approach, ie constantly reflecting on own gender biases when carrying out research.

Question 16

What is the diff between alpha bias and beta bias

Answer 16

alpha - exaggerates the diff
beta - minimises the diff