Gender bias

What is gender bias

treating or representing men and women differently based on stereotypes rather than actual differences

Issues with gender bias

• it distorts the view of what behaviours we might see as typical and atypical for each gender

• Theory/research is not justifiably representing the experience of men or women

What is universality

• the belief that some psychological findings or theories apply to all people irrespective of difference people may have

• Aim in psychology is to develop theories that apply to all people

• Solution is to recognise differences but not argue superiority of one gender

Alpha bias

research that exaggerates differences between males and females

consequence of alpha bias

lead to theories that devalue one gender in comparison to the other

beta bias

research that minimises the differences between males and females, assumes they are the same

consequences of beta bias

theories could ignore questions about the lives of women, or assume that insights derived from studies of men will apply equally well to women

research theory 1

research on the fight or flight response

type of gender bias & justification

• alpha bias

• Suggests women has a reduced fight or flight response and instead tend or befriend

Consequence

• men ‘fight back’ whereas women ‘tend and befriend’

• discriminates against women and make them seem weaker

Strength of gender bias 1

• Reflexivity

• Researchers recognise how their own values and gender biases influence research

• Increase awareness of personal bias

• Improves research

Strength 2

• practical applications

• Research can challenge gender stereotypes and promote equality

• Eg. Developing training programmes to increase female representation in leadership

Weakness 1

• gender bias remains

• Women are underrepresented in psychology departments

• Male researchers are more likely to publish work