issues and debates Ao3

Limit of gender bias

• assumptions about differences remain unchallenged in many theories

• Eg Darwins theory of sexual selection has been used to suggest women are choosy and males have to compete to be chosen

• Problem as it’s a Victorian idea that women are coy and males are aggresive. When in reality females can be equally aggressive anc competitive when they need

• Eg DNA evidence support idea its good adaptive strategy for females to mate with more than one male. Hence females would actually be in competition with other males

• Thus psychologists must challenge research that’s gender biased to make sure its relevant to women in modern society

Alpha bias limit

• Consequences in research - can have implications for way women are viewed and treated in society

• Cuz research which exaggerates gender diff lead to misleading assumptions being made about female behaviour, which fail to challenge negative stereotypes

• For eg many feminist psychologists have objected to diagnostic categorisation of pre menstrual syndrome on the grounds its a social construct which medicalises female emotions

• Differed to way male emotions eg anger are portrayed as a rational response to threats and pressures rather than viewed as psych instability

• Problem as gener diff can be used as scientific justification to deny women opportunities within society

• Thus alpha bias lead to sexism

Beta bias limit

• led to positive consequence for women - minimising gender diff in society has allowed women greater access to educational and occupational oppurnities

• However Hare and Marecek argue fight to achieve equality for women in society has drawn attention away from unique needs women have

• Problem as in any society where one group holds power, actions which are which are intended to benefit everyone equally, can still end up benefitting the more powerful group

• Thus we need to ensure psychological research is sensitive to the needs of women

Strength of cultural bias