Gender bias

• Gender Bias

  The differential treatment and representation of males and females based on stereotypes and not real differences.
• Alpha bias

  In the case of alpha bias, there's a misinterpretation of behaviour because theories or research exaggerate the differences between men and women.

  
  

  For example, Freud saw femininity as a form of failed masculinity, viewing women as inferior because young girls suffer from 'penis envy'.
• Beta Bias

  In the case of beta bias, there's a misinterpretation of behaviour because theories or research minimise/ignore sex differences, assumes findings can equally apply to males and females.

  
  

  For example, biological research into the fight/flight system which is often carried out using male animals. It was assumed that this wasn't a problem, as they assumed the fight/flight response would be the same for both sexes.
• Androcentrism

  Theories focused on males. Because of beta bias, we're left with a view of human nature that is assumed to apply to both men and women, but actually has an Androcentrism view.

  
  

  For example, Asch uses androcentric samples in his conformity studies.
• A03 - Implications of gender bias (P)

  Gender-biased research may create misleading assumptions about female behaviour, failing to challenge negative stereotypes and validating discriminatory practices.
• A03 - Implications of gender bias (E)

  It could provide scientific 'justification' to deny women opportunities within wider society - like in the workplace.

  
  

  For example, many feminist commentators have objected to the diagnostic category PMS, arguing that it stereotypes and trivialises the female experience. Critics claim it is a social construction that medicalises female emotions by explained them in hormonal terms.

  
  

  In contract, male anger, for example, is seen as a rational response to external pressures.
• A03 - Implications of gender bias (E)

  Therefore, gender bias isn't only a methodological problem buy it also affects the lives and understanding of real life women.

  
  

  For example the statistics that females are around 2x as likely to be diagnosed with depression than men.
• A03 - Implications of gender bias (L)

  Carol Tavris says when men set the standard of normalcy, 'it becomes normal for women to feel abnormal'.
• A03 - feminist psychology (P)

  Contemporary psychologists have looked for ways to reduce gender bias. One way proposed is to take a feminist approach which aims to restore the imbalance in both psychological theories and research.
• A03 - feminist psychology (E)

  Feminist commentators like Judith Worrell created a criteria to minimise and avoid gender bias in research. This includes that women should be used as genuine participants in research, rather than objects of the study, and that they should be studied within meaningful real-life contexts.
• A03 - feminist psychology (E)

  It also includes that research should study diverse samples of women, rather than simply focusing on the difference between men and women. And finally, that there should be greater emphasis placed on collaborative research that collect qualitative data.
• A03 - sexism within the research process (E)

  There is a lack of women appointed at senior research level, meaning female concerns may not be reflected in the research questions asked.

  
  

  Male researchers are also more likely to have their work published, and journal articles tend to favour studies that evidence gender differences.
• A03 - sexism within the research process (E)


  Also, the laboratory experiment places women in an inequitable relationship with a (usually male) researcher who has the power to unreasonably label them as irrational and incapable.
• A03 - sexism within the research process (L)

  Therefore, psychology may be guilty of supporting a form of institutional sexism, that creates bias in theory and research.