Gender bias, universality, androcentrism, alpha beta bias

• What is alpha bias?

  When the differences between men and women are shown and may be exaggerated (inevitable or fixed). To heighten the value of either sex however, usually to devalue women
• What is beta bias

  Theories that ignore or minimise sex differences. Assumes that the findings from studies using males can apply equally to females.
• What is androcentrism


  Theories that are centred on or focused on males, to neglect or exclusion of women
• What is universality 


  Aim is to develop theories that apply to all people, which]ch may include real differences, it does this without assuming one is superior over the other.
• Application of androcentrism 


  (PMS) Premenstrual syndrome - feminists object to this as they believe that it's a social construct which stereotypes and trivialises the female experience. It suggests that female anger is due to hormones, whereas male anger is a rational response to external pressure.
• What is one limitation of gender bias?

  Gender differences are often presented as fixed
• What did Maccoby and Jacklin find regarding gender abilities?

  Girls are superior in verbal abilities
• According to Maccoby and Jacklin, which gender has better spatial ability?

  Boys have better spatial ability
• What did Joel et al. find in their research?

  No gender differences were found
• What does the research suggest about accepting findings as biological facts?

  We should be wary of accepting them
• What do social stereotypes imply about research findings?

  They should be considered as social stereotypes
• What does Ingalhalikar's research suggest about female brains?

  They may have better connections between hemispheres
• What does Ingalhalikar's research imply about biological differences?

  There may be biological differences to consider
• What are the key findings of Maccoby and Jacklin regarding gender abilities?

  • Girls excel in verbal abilities
  • Boys excel in spatial abilities
• What are the implications of Joel et al.'s findings on gender differences?

  • Suggests caution in accepting gender differences
  • Highlights the role of social stereotypes
• What does Ingalhalikar's research indicate about popular social stereotypes?

  • Some stereotypes may have a basis in biology
  • Women's brains may have better inter-hemispheric connections