Gender bias

Define gender bias

psychological research not fully including the experience of one gender

Define universality

idea that certain ideas can be applied across everyone

Define androcentrism

male centred

Define alpha bias

when differences between the sexes are exaggerated

Define beta bias

when differences between the sexes are ignored

What is an example of alpha bias?

Bowlby’s Monotropic theory:

-Law of accumulated separation states that having a large amount of time from a primary attachment figure causes poor quality attachment that has negative implications on the child

What were the problems of Bowlby’s theory?

-Socially sensitive because it had strong influences on the choices of mothers when they had young children

-Feminists argue that this causes a terrible burden of responsibility on mothers

What is an example of beta bias?

Studies into the effects of hormones because most studies were done with men because of hormonal fluctuations in women

How can gender bias be evaluated through biological vs social explanations?

-A limitation is gender differences are often explained as fixed (alpha bias) even when they are not

-Attachment research in the past suggested that women were more ‘biologically equipped’ to be caregivers

-More recent research (Feldman) showed new fathers and mothers produce the same amount of oxytocin (involved in bonding)

-Shows research should not be considered a fact when representing social stereotypes

How can gender bias be evaluated through theories that emphasise the value of women?

-Cornwell and others found women are better at learning because they are more attentive, flexible and organised

-Focused on positive qualities of women, helping to challenge gender stereotypes and change people’s preconceptions