2022-2024 Year 13 A-Level Psychology - Issues & Debates: Gender Bias
Universality refers to the assumption that research findings and theories apply equally to all people, regardless of gender, culture, or time period. In psychology, this can lead to issues if gender differences are ignored or misrepresented.
What does universality mean?
The idea that conclusions drawn from research can be applied to everybody, regardless of tome period, gender or culture.
Key Terms
What does universality mean?
The idea that conclusions drawn from research can be applied to everybody, regardless of tome period, gender or culture.
Give an example of universality
Believing that some behaviours are the same for all genders.
Universality is the idea that 1.___________ drawn from 2.__________can be applied to everybody, regardless of tome period, 3._________ or culture.
conclusions
research
gender
Regarding universality, what can be drawn from research that can be applied to everybody?
Conclusions which can be applied to all.
What does gender bias mean?
When psychological research or theory offers a view that does not represent the experience and behaviour of either men or women.
Gender Bias: When psychological research or 1.________ offers a 2. ______ that does not represent the experience and 3.__________ of either men or 4_________.
theory
view
behaviour
women
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What does universality mean? | The idea that conclusions drawn from research can be applied to everybody, regardless of tome period, gender or culture. |
Give an example of universality | Believing that some behaviours are the same for all genders. |
Universality is the idea that 1.___________ drawn from 2.__________can be applied to everybody, regardless of tome period, 3._________ or culture. |
|
Regarding universality, what can be drawn from research that can be applied to everybody? | Conclusions which can be applied to all. |
What does gender bias mean? | When psychological research or theory offers a view that does not represent the experience and behaviour of either men or women. |
Gender Bias: When psychological research or 1.________ offers a 2. ______ that does not represent the experience and 3.__________ of either men or 4_________. |
|
Undefining gender bias, what offers a view that does not represent the experience and behaviour of either men or women. | Psychological research or theory |
How does having male psychologists have an impact in psychology? | It upholds male superiority |
What do feminist argue psychology has been built on? | Biased research of male psychologists |
What are the three major types of gender bias all of which limit Universality. | Androcentrism, Alpha bias, Beta Bias |
What do all the types of gender bias limit? | Universality |
Define Androcentrism | Research that is based only on males, then it is used as the standard or expected norm for both sexes. |
Androcentrism is when research that is based only on_______________, then it is used as the standard or ___________ norm for___________ sexes. | males, |
If our understanding of what is ‘normal’ behaviour comes from male only samples, what would that mean for behaviour that deviates from this norm? | then any behaviour that deviates form this norm is seen as abnormal or inferior. |
If our understanding of what is ‘_________’ behaviour comes from _____ only samples, then any behaviour that__________ form this is seen as__________ or inferior. | normal |
If our understanding of what is ‘normal’ behaviour comes from male only samples, then any behaviour that deviates form this is seen as abnormal. How would this affect female behaviour? | This leads to female behavior being misunderstood or pathologised |
What does pathologised mean? | Behaviour being taken as a sign of psychological instability |
What is the term which describes behaviour being taken as a sign of psychological instability | Pathologised |
How can you use Asch’s conformity research to explain Androcentrism? | For example, research in to conformity by Asch was conducted on a sample of males and then generalised to both sexes, therefore if females conformed more than 37% of the time then they may have been seen as abnormal. |
Beta Bias: Research/theories _____________ behaviour as they ignore or ___________ the differences between males and __________. Therefore important aspects of ___________ experience are ___________, so limits any conclusions drawn. | misrepresent |
Beta bias suggests that Research/theories misrepresent behaviour as they ignore or minimises the differences between males and females. How does this impact female experience? | Important aspects of female experience are ignored, so limits any conclusions drawn. |
What is the impact of beta bias? | This often occurs when female participants are not included in a sample and it is assumed the findings can apply equally to both sexes. |
Which type of gender bias is when female participants are not included in a sample and it is assumed the findings can apply equally to both sexes. | Beta bias |
Give an example of beta bias using | For example, the fight-or-flight response has been described as universal (applying equally to men and women) but much of the early research was conducted on male animals |
What does Beta bias suggests Research/theories misrepresent behaviour are minimising? | Differences between males and females |
Alpha bias: Research/theories misrepresent behaviours as it differences between and females, serving to reinforce gender and usually devalue women as women are often not seen as ‘the _’. | Exaggerates |
An example of Alpha bias could be shown in research on relationships suggesting males seek a partner that is young and attractive whereas females seek a man with resources (e.g. high paid jobs), What impact does this have on gender? | Reinforces gender stereotypes. |
Give an example of Alpha bias shown in research on relationships. | Research on relationships suggesting males seek a partner that is young and attractive whereas females seek a man with resources (e.g. high paid jobs). |
AO3: How can gender bias within research provide a scientific reasoning to deny women opportunities within employment and validate discrimination? | Alpha bias research suggest that females are dependent on males. Evolutionary psychology emphasises any gender differences are innate, due to genetics, which gives a biological justification for gender bias within society. |
AO3: Male researchers label females as irrational or unreasonable, with the use of quantitative data. Why is this a problem fir women? | If we continue with this methodology (quantitative data, as opposed to qualitative data, to understand women), it may have negative consequences for women when generalised beyond the setting of the experiment. |
AO3: What did Tarvis say should be altered in the methodology of research to ensure equality for female? | Research should have more qualitative data collection methods such as interviews to fully understand female behaviour. (Male researchers label females as irrational or unreasonable, with the use of quantitative data). |
AO3: Practical applications How can the concept of gender bias in research help individuals in the real world? | It can help to identify biological difference between males and females. |
AO3: Practical Application: Eagly (1978) found females to be less effective leaders than males. How can this research finding be used to help people in the real world? | It can help researchers to develop training programmes aimed at reducing the lack of female leaders in the real-world. |