Gender bias

• Gender bias in psychology refers to the differential treatment or representation of men and women based on stereotypes rather than real differences. It can lead to distorted views of human behaviour and impact psychological research and theory.
• The two types of gender bias is alpha bias and beta bias.
• Alpha Bias

  • This occurs when differences between men and women are exaggerated, leading to one gender being undervalued.
  • Example: Freud’s psychodynamic theory suggests that women experience "penis envy", implying they are inferior to men.
• Beta Bias

  • This happens when differences between men and women are minimised or ignored, often assuming that research findings on men apply equally to women.
  • Example: Early fight-or-flight research was conducted on male animals and assumed to apply to females. Later research by Taylor et al. (2000) found women exhibit a "tend-and-befriend" response instead.
• Androcentrism is a possible consequence of beta bias.

  • This refers to male-centred research, where normal behaviour is judged according to a male standard, then any behaviour that deviates from this standard may be judged as 'abnormal'.
  • It often results in female behaviour being misunderstood or pathologized (e.g., seeing emotional responses as irrational or hormonal).
  • Example: PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) is often seen as a medical condition, which medicalises female emotions (anger), while male anger is seen as a rational response to external factors.
• A key issue with gender bias is the presence of sexism in psychological research methods. Historically, most researchers were male, and their perspectives shaped the questions asked, the methods used, and the interpretation of findings. This may have led to a biased portrayal of female behaviour, as male researchers might be less likely to investigate topics relevant to women. Furthermore, female participants may be treated differently in studies, reinforcing androcentrism. As a result, psychology as a discipline may have produced theories that do not accurately represent female experiences.
• One way to address gender bias is through reflexivity, where researchers acknowledge their own biases and consider how these might influence their work. In modern psychology, many researchers are actively working to reduce gender bias by designing studies that fairly represent both men and women. For example, contemporary studies often include both male and female participants and analyse gender differences rather than assuming male behaviour is the norm. This shift helps create a more balanced understanding of human psychology and reduces the impact of gender bias in research.
• Some psychological theories have been criticized for essentialism, where gender differences are presented as fixed and inevitable, often based on outdated or culturally biased views. For instance, in the early 20th century, some theories suggested that women’s roles were biologically determined, limiting their educational and career opportunities. Such claims are problematic because they ignore the influence of social and cultural factors on gender differences. By challenging essentialist views, modern psychology can promote a more accurate and fair representation of both genders.