3.1.1.2 Gender Bias

• Alpha Bias = exaggerates/overestimates differences between sexes; more likely to devalue females in relation to males
• Beta Bias = underestimates or ignores gender differences, assumes that men and women are the same; aim is to produce theories that can claim universality
• Androcentrism = Males are taken as the norm from which theory and research is developed which can lead to female behaviour being misunderstood/pathologised; results in alpha/beta bias
• Topics for Alpha Bias

  • Biological basis for gender differences
  • Sociobiological theory of relationship formation
• Biological basis for gender differences (Alpha Bias)

  • Ingalhalikar et al; MRI scans
  • Showed women had better connections between left & right sides of the brain
  • Showed men had more intense activity within individual parts (eg cerebellum = motor activity)
  • Suggests F = multi-tasking; M = single complex tasks
• Sociobiological theory of relationship formation (Alpha Bias)

  • Survival efficiency = explains human sexual attraction
  • Males = impregnate as many women possible = increase chance of preserving genes
  • Females = selective choosing of partner = healthy survival of fewer offspring
  • Sexual promiscuity seen as genetically determined in men
• Topics for Beta Bias

  • Fight or Flight response
  • Kohlberg's theory of moral reasoning
• Topics for Androcentrism

  • Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• Fight or Flight Response (Beta Bias)

  • Ignores hormonal changes in women during ovulation affecting behaviour
  • Misrepresents female behaviour
• PMS (Androcentrism)

  • Diagnostic category that pathologises female behaviour and emotions; leads to stereotypes 
  • Male anger seen as rational responses to external pressures
• Evaluation = Implications of gender bias

  • Tarvis (1993) = androcentrism results in it becoming “normal for women to feel abnormal”
  • Scientific justification to discriminate and deny women equal opportunities in workforce or society
  • Twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression compared to men
• Evaluation = Overcoming gender bias

  • Worhell (1992) = Women should be studied within meaningful real-life contexts
  • Diversity within groups of women investigated
• Evaluation = Gender bias in research methodology

  • Nicolson (1995) = female participants find themselves in inequitable relationships with male researcher who often labels them as irrational/unable to complete tasks
  • Lack of women in senior levels
  • Less likely to have their work published
  • Studies with alpha bias more likely to be published