Gender and Culture

• Universality - the idea that conclusions drawn from research can be applied to everybody, regardless of time period, gender or culture
• Gender bias - when psychological research or theory offers a view that does not represent the experience and behaviour of either men or women
• Types of Gender Bias:

  > androcentrism (study)

  > alpha bias (theory)

  > beta bias (theory)
• Androcentrism - a male-centred view of human behaviour

  > research is based on only males, then is used as the standard norm for both sexes, which leads to female behaviour being seen as abnormal or undesirable, as it deviates from male behaviour

  > example - Asch
• Beta bias - research/theories misrepresent behaviour because they minimise differences between males and females, therefore important aspects of female experience are ignored

  > occurs when female participants are not included in the sample but it is assumed that findings can apply equally to both sexes

  > example: fight or flight response
• Alpha bias - research/theories misrepresent behaviour because they exaggerate differences between males and females, serving to reinforce gender stereotypes and devalue women, who are not often seen as the 'norm'

  > example - research on relationships has shown males seek a young and attractive partner, whereas, females seek a partner with resources
• Gender Bias AO3:

  > alpha bias provides scientific justification for gender stereotypes

  > gender bias is emphasised by the research process

  > androcentric does not always mean gender bias
• Culture bias - when psychological theories or studies ignore cultural difference and assume that their findings can be generalised globally

  > some bias researchers assume that their culture is the norm
• Types of Culture Bias:

  > ethnocentrism

  > cultural relativism
• Ethnocentrism - the assumption that one ethnic group/culture is superior to one, or all, ethnic groups

  > emphasises the importance of one's own culture, so their behaviour is seen as the norm and others are seen as abnormal, leading to discrimination

  > example - IQ tests
• Ethnocentrism AO3:

  > IQ tests provide a clear example of ethnocentric bias

  > culture may be an outdated concept, due to globalisation and interconnectedness
• Cultural relativism - the appreciation that behaviour varies between cultures (there is no right or wrong behaviour)

  > it is important to consider individuals behaviour within their culture, as social norms are culturally relative

  > example - definitions of abnormality
• Cultural Relativism AO3:

  > much research can be criticised for lacking cultural relativism, for example, when defining abnormality

  > researchers should be cautious when they consider the distinction between cultural relativism and universality