Gender bias

• Universality - This is the idea that conclusions drawn from research can be applied to everybody, regardless of the time period, gender or culture.

  > For example, believing that some behaviours are the same for all genders
• Gender bias - When the psychological research or theory offers a view that does not represent the experience or behaviour of either men or women

  > Feminist psychologists argue that psychology has been built on biased research of male psychologists and has been shaped to uphold male superiority.
• Androcentrism - A male centred view on human behaviour

  > Research that is based only on males, then used as a standard or expected norm for both sexes, any behaviour that deviates from what is ‘normal’ will be seen as undesirable and misunderstood

  > Research into conformity by Milgram was conducted on a sample of males then generalised to both sexes, therefore if females conformed more then 65% of the time then they may have been seen as abnormal
• Beta bias - Research/ theories misrepresent behaviour as they ignore or minimise the differences between males and females. Therefore any important aspects of female experience are ignored.

  > This often occurs when female participants are not included in a sample and it is assumed the findings can apply equally to both sexes

  > For example, the fight or flight response has been described as universal but much of the early research was conducted on male animals. Females often tend and befriend rather then fight or flight
• Alpha bias - Research/ theories misrepresent behaviours as it exaggerates differences between males and females, serving to reinforce gender stereotypes and usually devalue women as women are not seen as the ‘norm’

  > For example, research on relationships (Buss) has shown that males seek a partner that is young and attractive whereas females seek a man with resources (eg. high paid jobs), reinforcing gender stereotypes
• Gender bias AO3 -

  > Provides scientific justification for gender stereotypes

  > Evolutionary psychologists suggest that there are innate differences between males and females, with females being dependent on males to provide resources

  > Feminist psychologists argue this can be used against women to maintain male power - denying women opportunities within employment

  > Therefore, alpha bias may negatively impact womens life prospects
• Gender bias AO3 -

  > Many argue gender bias is emphasised by the research process

  > Psychology is dominated by male psychologists, researching male issues in lab environments

  > Assuming men and women will receive equal treatment by the research and respond in the same ways, which could create differences that do not exist or mask real ones

  > Therefore it is argued there should be a wider range of female psychologists to gain a valid understanding into female behaviour using research methods such as qualitative interviews
• Gender bias AO3 -

  > It is important to note that androcentric research does not always mean gender bias

  > Milgram used a male only sample

  > However this is relevant to his aim of understanding Nazi soldiers behaviour who would have been male

  > This recognition is important in scrutinising whether there is gender bias within research