Gender bias

What is the main aim of psychology?

Universality: to develop theories that apply to all people, which may include real differences

What can undermine the universality of psychological research?

Gender & cultural bias

What is alpha bias?

Theories that assume there are real & enduring differences (which are fixed & inevitable) between men & women

• (think alpha = ‘apart’ → genders pushed apart; exaggerates differences)

What is the consequence of alpha bias?

It can either enhance or undervalue members of either sex (but it typically undervalues females)

Which study is an example of alpha bias & why?

Wilson’s sociobiological theory of relationship formation, which focuses on survival efficiency:

• proposes it’s in a male’s interest to try & impregnate as many women as possible to guarantee his genes will be passed down through generations

• for females, her best chance is to ensure healthy survival of her offspring, which would guarantee her genes are passed on

What does Wilson’s sociobiological theory of relationship formation state about sexual promiscuity?

Sexual promiscuity in males is genetically determined, while women who engage in similar activity are seen as going against their nature

• (it exaggerates the differences between men & women → alpha bias)

What is beta bias?

Differences between males & females are ignored, minimised or underestimated:

• often occurs when female participants are not included as part of the research process & it is then assumed the research findings equally apply to both sexes

  • (think beta = ‘blended’ → genders treated as the same; ignores differences)

Which study is an example of beta bias?

Asch’s three lines test into conformity

What is the consequence of beta bias?

Androcentrism:

• behaviour that deviates from the ‘normal’ behaviour drawn from research that involves all male samples is seen as ‘abnormal’

• means that female behaviour is misunderstood & underrepresented

What is an example of androcentrism?

Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)

Why do feminists object to PMS as a concept?

They believe it is a social construct, which stereotypes the female experience:

• it suggests that female anger is due to hormones, whereas male anger is a rational response to external pressure

Discuss how gender bias has been presented in psychology. (16 marks)

Write your AO1 paragraph

• Psychology aims to develop universal theories that is applicable to everyone, but gender bias can undermine this.

• Firstly, one type of gender bias is alpha bias, where differences between men & women are exaggerated (this often undervalues women). One such example is Wilson’s sociobiological theory of relationship formation, which proposes that men are genetically pre-disposed to impregnate as many women as possible to maximise the chances of his genes being passed down. Whereas, women are naturally focused on ensuring the healthy survival of her offspring, to ensure her genes are passed on. This suggests that male promiscuity is innate, whereas similar behaviour in females goes against their nature.

• Secondly, another type of gender bias is beta bias, where differences between men & women are ignored or minimised - this often happens in research with an all male sample, which then assumes that findings apply equally to both sexes (e.g. Asch’s three lines study into conformity). This can lead to androcentrism, where male behaviour is seen as the norm & female behaviour is seen as abnormal or misunderstood. For example, some feminists argue pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) is a social construct that stereotypes women by explaining female anger as hormonal, while male anger is viewed as a rational response to stress.

Discuss how gender bias has been presented in psychology. (16 marks)

Write your strength AO3 PEEL (Taylor et al.)

• Point: One strength of recognising gender bias is that it encourages psychologists to conduct more inclusive & representative research.

• Evidence: For example, early research into the fight or flight response has predominantly involved male participants & therefore, reflects a male-centred approach to danger.

• Explain: However, Taylor et al. found that in stressful situations, women protect themselves by caring for their offspring & forming alliances with other women (tend & befriend approach).

• Link: Therefore, recognising gender bias has improved research by encouraging inclusion of both genders, making findings more applicable to real-world settings (e.g. healthcare & education).

Discuss how gender bias has been presented in psychology. (16 marks)

Write your limitation AO3 PEEL (Bowlby)

• Point: One limitation of gender bias is that it may lead single-fathers & same-sex families to feel inadequate.

• Evidence: For example, Bowlby’s monotropic theory emphasises the mother’s role as more crucial than the father’s role in an infant’s development.

• Explain: This perspective was likely influenced by the social norms of 1950s Britain, where women commonly did not have independent careers & child-rearing roles were less shared between parents.

• Link: As such, Bowlby’s monotropic theory suffers from alpha bias & reinforces traditional gender roles, by ignoring other attachment figures in diverse, modern-day families, as well as being socially sensitive.

Discuss how gender bias has been presented in psychology. (16 marks)

Write your limitation AO3 PEEL (Wilson)

• Point: One limitation of gender bias is that research that aims to highlight gender differences may inadvertently reinforce harmful stereotypes.

• Evidence: For example, Wilson’s sociobiological theory of relationship formation proposes that men are naturally promiscuous, whereas women are less likely to engage in casual sexual relationships, instead prioritising child-rearing.

• Explain: This suggests that overemphasising differences can be unbeneficial, as it may validate stereotypes & justify discrimination rather than challenge it.

• Link: Overall, this suggests that psychologists must be cautious in how they frame gender differences, as some research may maintain the very inequalities it seeks to address.