Gender bias

    Cards (8)

    • (AO1) What is the debate about?
      Gender bias = treating/representing men and women differently based on stereotypes rather than actual differences. This distorts the view of what behaviours we might see as typical and atypical.
    • (AO1) Give intro
      Historically in psychology, there has been predominance of research based on samples of men and have been conducted by men. Most of the founding psychologists are men.
    • (AO1) Give x2 example - Wundt & Freud
      When Wundt set up his lab with introspection, it was not even considered that he would look at behaviour of women.

      When Freud was conducting early studies about the mind, he did include girls but made huge exaggerations between men and women.
    • (AO1) Expectations
      Research might have different expectations of men and women, which might then affect research outcomes.
    • (AO1) Define alpha & beta bias & androcentrism
      Aplha bias = overemphasises the differences between men and women

      Beta bias = underestimates/ignore the differences between men and women

      ALSO = there can be an overemphasis on the importance of biology as the driver of behaviour. E.g. link to evolution - ppl can exaggerate a womens desire to nurture & mens desire to fight

      Androcentrism = to put male at the centre of research/theories/ideas, assuming they are the standard
    • (AO3) Support - psychodynamic approach
      Point: The psychodynamic approach shows gender bias by explaining women's behaviour through their lack of maleness, effectively minimising female psychology.

      Evidence: Freud's Oedipus complex and penis envy suggests women are psychologically incomplete. Similarly, the psychodynamic explanations of crime claim women have an underdeveloped superego & rely on men to make moral decisions.

      Evaluate: This reflects androcentrism, using male development as the norm.

      HOWEVER: Modern theories like the Electra complex and womb envy challenge this, recognising female development as distinctive.
    • (AO3) Support - Milgram
      Point: Androcentrism can also be further shown in replications of Milgram's research, which tends to show women do not obey as much as men.

      Evidence: Kilman & Man tested gender differences in obedience among Australian students, finding only 16% of women obeyed, compared to 40% of men.

      Evaluate: Suggests that male-centered findings may not apply to women, challenging the validity of generalisations made from androcentrism studies like Milgram's, to the wider population.
    • (AO3) Discussion - RWA
      Point: Understanding gender differences in psychological research is important because there are serious real-world applications.

      Evidence: If drugs, therapies or meds are not thoroughly tested on both genders, this can potentially cause harm. E.g. stress research into the fight-or-flight response often focuses on men, which may leave women without adequate care. Similarly, research into postpartum depression is largely focused on women, potentially missing men who also need support.

      Evaluate: Highlights how gender bias in research can lead to practical consequences, reinforcing the need for inclusive and representative studies that benefit everyone.