Issues and debates-Topic 1

Gender and culture in psychology: Gender Bias

What is gender bias and what are the different types of gender biases? A01

Gender bias occurs when research systematically misinterprets one gender, usually women. Alpha bias exaggerates the difference between men and women whereas beta bias ignores or underestimates differences between men and women.

What is an example of alpha bias? A01

Freud (1905) showed alpha bias favouring males, suggesting girls develop a weaker Superego and moral sense due to a weaker identification with their mothers. In contrast, Chodorow (1968) showed alpha bias favouring females, arguing that women form stronger emotional bonds and empathy due to their closer connection with their mothers.

What is an example of beta bias? A01

The fight-or-flight response was mostly conducted on male animals, as females were excluded due to hormonal fluctuations. This led researchers to assume the response was universal across genders. However, Taylor et al. (2000) challenged this, suggesting that females typically display a “tend and befriend” response, driven by higher levels of oxytocin, which reduces the fight-or-flight reaction and promotes nurturing and social bonding

Androcentrism  A01

Alpha and beta bias are consequences of androcentrism. 6 of 100 famous psychologists are females. This lead to female behaviour being misunderstood and pathologised. Feminists argue that PMS unfairly medicalises women’s emotions, like anger, as hormonal, while male anger is seen as rational

Define androcentrism and universality. A01

Androcentrism is when male behaviour or views are seen as the norm, leading to female behaviour being judged as abnormal or inferior. Universality means that a theory or finding applies to all people across cultures and backgrounds, not just a specific group.

LIMITATION(1) A01

P- One limitation is that gender differences are given as fixed and enduring.

E- For example, Maccoby and Jacklin concluded that girls have better verbal ability and boys have better spatial ability due to hardwired biological brain differences. Moreover, Joel et al used brain scanning and found no such gender differences.

E- This suggests that we should be careful of accepted research as biological facts when it might be explained better as social stereotypes.

L- Therefore, alpha bias can reduce the scientific credibility of research by reinforcing gender stereotypes instead of accurately representing human behaviour.

COUNTERPOINT-STRENGTH (of limitation 1)

P- However, it may be true that some gender differences have a biological basis.

E- For example- Ingalhalikar et al suggests the popular social stereotype that females are better at multitasking may have some biological truth to it as their hemispheres are better connected.

E- This suggests that there may be biological differences but we still should be wary of exaggerating the effect they may have on behaviour.

L- Therefore, alpha bias may have some validity, but its effects are often exaggerated if social and cultural factors are ignored.

LIMITATION (2)

P- Another limitation is that gender bias promotes sexism in the research process.

E- For example, a male researcher may expect female participants to be irrational and unable to complete complex tasks which may mean they underperform. Moreover, research is more likely to be conducted by males which may disadvantage females.

E- This means that, the institutional structures and methods of psychology produce findings that are gender biased.

L- Therefore, this highlights an issue in psychology, demonstrating how sexism in research can distort results and links to the debate about bias and validity in psychological research.

LIMITATION (2)

P- A further limitation is research challenging bias may not be published.

E- For example, Formanowicz et al analysed 1000 articles relating to gender bias, such research is funded less and is published by less prestigious journals.

E- This suggests that gender bias in psychological research may not be taken as seriously as other forms of bias .

L- Therefore, this demonstrates gender bias in research, showing how institutional and publication practices can undermine the validity of psychological knowledge.