Gender Bias

What is a definition of gender bias?

• Overexaggerating the differences between men and women

• Minimising the differences between men and women

• Research or theory may offer a view that does not justifiably represent the experience of men or women

• A study that only includes men.

Define androcentrism

• When ‘normal’ behaviour is judged according to a male standard, meaning that female behaviour is often judged to be ‘abnormal’.

• When the findings of a study can be applied to males and females

• When ‘normal’ behaviour is judged according to a female standard, meaning that male behaviour is often judged to be ‘abnormal’.

• Conclusions drawn about an underlying characteristic of human beings can be applied to all people, anywhere, regardless of time or culture

Define Beta bias

• Psychological theories/research that overexaggerate or overestimate differences between the sexes.

• Psychological theories/research that ignore, minimise or underestimate differences between the sexes.

• When ‘normal’ behaviour is judged according to a male standard, meaning that female behaviour is often judged to be ‘abnormal’.

Which Psychologist is an example of Alpha bias?

• Asch

• Milgram

• Sperry

• Freud's Psychosexual stages of development

Which psychologist is an example of Beta bias? Select all that apply

• Zimbardo

• Asch

• Milgram

• Bowlby

What type of bias is the fight or flight response?

• Alpha

• Beta

What is an implication of gender bias? Select all that apply

• Women could be denied opportunities in the workplace

• Ethnic minorities could be denied opportunities in the workplace

• People over 65 could be forced to retire

• Fathers could be discriminated against in parental leave

A lack of women appointed at senior research level means that female concerns may not be reflected in the research questions asked. What does this suggest?

• Issues with the representation of women.

• Reduced internal validity

• Economic implications

• Overrepresentation of women

Beta bias has allowed women....

• To be seen as inferior to men.

• To be marginalised

• Greater access to educational and occupational opportunities

• To be placed above men in the workplace

A weakness of beta bias is, if men hold the power in society, neutral actions will end up benefitting the people in society who hold the power (men), and women are disadvantaged. For example

• Women have been given the right to vote

• Women can have their own financial independence

• Women have better access to education

• Equal parental leave ignores the demands of pregnancy/ breastfeeding