Issues and Debates notes
Gender bias
When a gender is treated differently in psychological studies, typically focussed on men
(androcentrism), two ways research may be biased Rachel Hare Mustin and Jeanne Marecek
1988:
Alpha Bias: differences are assumed between genders e.g. Freud ‘feminity is failed
masculinity’ now aim to make universal psychological research
Beta Bias: downplay differences between genders e.g. fight or flight male animal
research superimposed onto women, Shelly Taylor 2000 females befriend
Androcentrism consequence of beta bias when all behaviour is compared to male
behaviour (neglecting women) also an example of fight or flight
P Strength of androcentric research (Freud) is that it can be used to learn how to avoid bias
E By taking feminist perspective biological differences but aim to reduce Eagly 1978 women
not as good leaders but means more training can be put in place
E decrease beta bias
L understand behaviour in terms of social processes to find a way to equality
P beta bias gives women more opportunities but also is a disadvantage
E Mustin and Marecek 1988 equality removes from females needs (parenting ignores
females special needs)
E Disadvantages women
L avoid beta bias so needs of each gender catered for
P develop theories that show differences but also emphasise value of women
E feminist research women better learners
E challenges stereotype and decreases preconceptions
L prevent discrimination due to gender biased research
Culture bias
When a culture is treated differently and there are two forms of cultural bias alpha and beta
Alpha bias where differences are assumed Takano Osaka 1999 14/15 studies didn’t
support the common view that there are differences in conformity between
individualist and collectivist
Beta bias minimises cultural differences e.g. western IQ tests and non-westerners
appeared less intelligent also an example of imposed etic
Ethnocentrism seeing world through one cultures perceptive Asch 1951 conformity
experiment can’t be generalised as other cultures have different conformity rates
countered by indigenous researchers
Cultural relativism its essential to consider cultural context when examining
behaviour in order to not generalise like Milgram to other cultures which didn’t find
same levels of obedience
Etic behaviours specific to a culture Emic behaviour that can be generalised across
the world
P learn from past research to counter bias
Gender bias
When a gender is treated differently in psychological studies, typically focussed on men
(androcentrism), two ways research may be biased Rachel Hare Mustin and Jeanne Marecek
1988:
Alpha Bias: differences are assumed between genders e.g. Freud ‘feminity is failed
masculinity’ now aim to make universal psychological research
Beta Bias: downplay differences between genders e.g. fight or flight male animal
research superimposed onto women, Shelly Taylor 2000 females befriend
Androcentrism consequence of beta bias when all behaviour is compared to male
behaviour (neglecting women) also an example of fight or flight
P Strength of androcentric research (Freud) is that it can be used to learn how to avoid bias
E By taking feminist perspective biological differences but aim to reduce Eagly 1978 women
not as good leaders but means more training can be put in place
E decrease beta bias
L understand behaviour in terms of social processes to find a way to equality
P beta bias gives women more opportunities but also is a disadvantage
E Mustin and Marecek 1988 equality removes from females needs (parenting ignores
females special needs)
E Disadvantages women
L avoid beta bias so needs of each gender catered for
P develop theories that show differences but also emphasise value of women
E feminist research women better learners
E challenges stereotype and decreases preconceptions
L prevent discrimination due to gender biased research
Culture bias
When a culture is treated differently and there are two forms of cultural bias alpha and beta
Alpha bias where differences are assumed Takano Osaka 1999 14/15 studies didn’t
support the common view that there are differences in conformity between
individualist and collectivist
Beta bias minimises cultural differences e.g. western IQ tests and non-westerners
appeared less intelligent also an example of imposed etic
Ethnocentrism seeing world through one cultures perceptive Asch 1951 conformity
experiment can’t be generalised as other cultures have different conformity rates
countered by indigenous researchers
Cultural relativism its essential to consider cultural context when examining
behaviour in order to not generalise like Milgram to other cultures which didn’t find
same levels of obedience
Etic behaviours specific to a culture Emic behaviour that can be generalised across
the world
P learn from past research to counter bias
