9.1 Gender Bias

Key terms

Universality — any underlying characteristic of human beings that is capable of being applied to all

Gender bias — treating one individual or group of people a different way because of their gender

Androcentrism — male centred, when ‘normal’ behaviour is judged according to a male standard

Alpha bias — research that focuses on differences between men and women, exaggerates differences

Beta bias — research that focuses on similarities between men and women, minimises differences

The issue of gender bias

Universality and bias

• bias undermines psychology, so ideas and beliefs cannot have universality

• As they are subjective, and are influenced by the social and historical context

Alpha bias

• e.g Freuds theory of psychosexual development. During the phallic stage: boys have castration anxiety, the girls have a weaker superego As the boys have a greater conflict