A03

• Limitation = biological vs. social explanation

  • Gender differences are often presented as fixed and enduring (alpha bias) when they are not
  • Maccoby and Jacklin (1974) found several gender studies concluded girls have superior verbal ability whereas boys have better spatial ability
  • Suggested these differences were hardwired into the brain before birth = seen as a fact
  • However Joel et al. (2015) used brain scanning and found no such sex differences in brain structures or processing
  • May be better explained as social stereotypes
• Limitation = reverse alpha bias

  • One strategy to counter gender bias is develop theories which show differences between men and women but emphasise the value of women
  • Cornwall et al. (2013) has shown that women are better at learning because they are more attentive, flexible and organised
  • Such research challenges stereotype that in any gender differences the male position must be better and changes people’s preconceptions
• Limitation = social and economical implications of gender bias

  • Research creates misleading assumptions about female behaviour and validate discriminatory practices
  • May provide scientific 'justification' to deny women opportunities within workplace for example
  • E.g. PMS in females medicalises female emotions by explaining them in hormonal terms - can lower opportunities for females (seen as too emotional)
  • However emotions such as anger in men is seen as rational response to external pressures
  • May have damaging consequences that affect lives and prospects of real women
• Limitation = avoiding beta bias

  • May be a disadvantage to minimise differences between men and women and fight for equal treatment as this may draw attention away from women's special needs
  • E.g. equal parental leave ignores biological demands of pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding therefore disadvantaging women
• What are the strengths of gender bias?

  None
• What are the limitations of gender bias?

  1. Biological vs. social explanations
  2. Reverse alpha bias
  3. Social and economic implications
  4. Avoiding beta bias