Chapter 1 Book- Psy_of_women

A comprehensive set of practice questions (Question and Answer style) covering key concepts and biases discussed in Chapter 1 about research methods, biases, themes, and critical thinking in the psychology of women and gender.

What is researcher expectancy?

Biases that researchers bring to a study that can influence the outcome, such as expecting males to perform better and treating groups differently.

Why is the choice of participants (e.g., college students) potentially problematic for research conclusions?

Because it limits generalizability to other groups, and may introduce confounding variables that skew conclusions.

What is a confounding variable?

A variable that varies with the independent variable and could account for observed effects, leading to biased conclusions.

How do statistical significance and practical significance differ?

Statistical significance indicates results are unlikely due to chance with a given sample size; practical significance concerns whether the effect has meaningful real-world implications.

What does the phrase 'correlation is not causation' mean?

A observed relationship between two variables does not prove that one causes the other; a third variable or reverse causation may be involved.

What is overgeneralization in data interpretation?

Drawing conclusions from a non-representative sample or unusual population and applying those conclusions to a broader population.

What is the 'illusion of gender differences'?

The tendency for researchers and the public to exaggerate differences between men and women in behavior.

Theme 1 of the book: how are gender differences typically characterized?

Psychological gender differences are usually small and inconsistent; gender similarities are often more prominent, and essentialism is rejected.

What is gender as a subject variable?

A characteristic within a person that may influence behavior; the book argues it typically has little impact on behavior.

What is gender as a stimulus variable?

A characteristic of a person to which others react; how people react to gender categories like male, female, or nonbinary.

What does androcentrism mean?

The male experience is treated as the norm, with language and culture often centered around men.

Name three contexts in which gender differences are more likely to appear.

1) When people evaluate themselves; 2) Real-life situations (with power differences); 3) When aware that others are evaluating them.

What is essentialism in the context of gender?

The belief that gender is a basic, stable characteristic residing within individuals; the book argues against this view.

What biases can influence hypotheses formation in research?

Biases in theoretical orientation and topics chosen as relevant or interesting for investigation.

What biases can influence study design?

Biases in choosing operational definitions, selecting participants, and including confounding variables.

What biases can occur during the performance of a study?

Researcher expectancy effects and participants’ expectations that can shape results.

What biases can occur during interpretation of results?

Ignoring practical significance, overlooking alternative explanations, misinterpreting correlational data, and overgeneralizing findings.

What biases can occur during the communication of findings?

Selective reporting of gender differences, sensationalized titles, and editors’ or media biases toward differences.

What is critical thinking in the context of research on gender?

A disciplined approach to evaluating research: ask thoughtful questions, detect biases, assess evidence, and propose alternative interpretations.

What are 'Did You Know?' features in the textbook?

Brief, provocative items with page references designed to stimulate critical thinking about controversial findings.

What is an operational definition?

A precise specification of how a variable will be measured or manipulated in a study to ensure replicability.

What does Theme 2 say about how people react to men and women?

Gender as a stimulus variable is important; people react differently to individuals based on gender.

What is the practical takeaway about Theme 3 (women in society)?

Women are less visible in many important areas; there is widespread androcentrism in language, media, and culture.

What is the main idea of Theme 4 (within-group variability)?

Women vary widely in characteristics, life choices, and responses to biology, indicating substantial within-group diversity.

What is the difference between within-subject and between-subject differences?

Within-subject differences pertain to variation within the same individuals across conditions or time; between-subject differences pertain to variation between different individuals or groups.