https://www.tutor2u.net/psychology/reference/test8-aqa-alevel-psychology-issues-debates
ISSUES AND
DEBATES
, A01 • WHAT IS GENDER BIAS? = psychological research/theory that doesn't represent
DICU
experience behaviour of men/women (usually women) + threatens claim to
universality.
• Lead to stereotypes = different treatments (EXAMPLE women morally weaker = should
Universality
be told what to do)
GENDER B
Theory that can apply to all people, • Assumptions + values of scientists can influence:
irrespective of gender + culture. - Questions they ask
- Way they set up their investigations PSYCHOL
Beta bias - Theories they invent
• Research that underestimates/ - Conclusions they draw
ignores differences between
sexes 3 types:
• EXAMPLE biological approach = • Alpha bias
ght or ight response: early • Beta bias • P = Beta bias = positive consequences for women EXAMPLE legal re
biological research carried out • Androcentrism (male) Gynocentrism (female) workplace = equal opportunities.
with male animals because have Androcentrism (male bias)
less variation in hormones than • Research centred/focused on men = often neglecting women (male = norm). • E = Hare-Muskin & Marecek, 1988: HOWEVER can mask women’s partic
females = assumed wouldn't be • Implies normal behaviour judged against male standards + if (later) research differences between women + men.
problem as fight or flight response on women deviated from male centred norm = considered abnormal.
same for both. • EXAMPLE Asch’s (1955) + Perrin and Spencer (1980) conformity studies: • E = EXAMPLE equal parental leave ignores biological demands of preg
• HOWEVER biological approach • Involved male ppts = assumed females would respond in same way = beta breastfeeding,
generally alpha bias. bias.
• L = Ultimately disadvantaging women.
Gynocentrism (female bias)
• Alpha bias • Research centred/focused on women = often neglecting men
• Research that exaggerates/overestimates differences • EXAMPLE Moscovici’s (1969) minority in uence studies:
between sexes. • Involved female ppts = assumed males would respond in same way.
• P = Research into gend
• Differences undervalue/enhance members of either
sex (typically females undervalued) • E = EXAMPLE individua
Negative Consequences of Gender Bias: themselves as androgyn
• EXAMPLE psychodynamic approach = Oedipus
complex. Freud argued girls don't identify with Alpha Bias: male + female character
mothers as strongly as boys identify with fathers = so • Ignores ways women differ from each other = prejudices + stereotypes. male/ female categories
develop weaker superegos (femininity = failed
masculinity). Beta Bias: • L = Not enough research
• Draws attention away from differences between men + women. accommodate different
• Egalitarian approach BUT results in misrepresentations of both genders. HOWEVER can lead to
A03 Positive Consequences of Gender Bias: • P = Implication of beta-biased research = creates misleading assumptions a
validate discriminatory practices.
Alpha Bias:
• Led theorists (Gilligan) to assert worth + valuation ‘feminine qualities’. • E = EXAMPLE might provide scientific justification to deny women opportunities
• Led to healthy criticism of cultural values (praise ‘male’ qualities = aggression • PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) = critics (Feminists) claim it's a social constructio
as desirable, adaptive + universal). female emotions (anger) by explaining these in hormonal terms ( pb as women
WHEREAS male anger portrayed as rational response to external pressure
Beta Bias:
• L = SO gender bias in research NOT just methodological problem BUT has dam
• Led to view of men + women = equal (equal treatment in legal terms + access affecting lives of real women
to education + employment.
fi fl fl
ISSUES AND
DEBATES
, A01 • WHAT IS GENDER BIAS? = psychological research/theory that doesn't represent
DICU
experience behaviour of men/women (usually women) + threatens claim to
universality.
• Lead to stereotypes = different treatments (EXAMPLE women morally weaker = should
Universality
be told what to do)
GENDER B
Theory that can apply to all people, • Assumptions + values of scientists can influence:
irrespective of gender + culture. - Questions they ask
- Way they set up their investigations PSYCHOL
Beta bias - Theories they invent
• Research that underestimates/ - Conclusions they draw
ignores differences between
sexes 3 types:
• EXAMPLE biological approach = • Alpha bias
ght or ight response: early • Beta bias • P = Beta bias = positive consequences for women EXAMPLE legal re
biological research carried out • Androcentrism (male) Gynocentrism (female) workplace = equal opportunities.
with male animals because have Androcentrism (male bias)
less variation in hormones than • Research centred/focused on men = often neglecting women (male = norm). • E = Hare-Muskin & Marecek, 1988: HOWEVER can mask women’s partic
females = assumed wouldn't be • Implies normal behaviour judged against male standards + if (later) research differences between women + men.
problem as fight or flight response on women deviated from male centred norm = considered abnormal.
same for both. • EXAMPLE Asch’s (1955) + Perrin and Spencer (1980) conformity studies: • E = EXAMPLE equal parental leave ignores biological demands of preg
• HOWEVER biological approach • Involved male ppts = assumed females would respond in same way = beta breastfeeding,
generally alpha bias. bias.
• L = Ultimately disadvantaging women.
Gynocentrism (female bias)
• Alpha bias • Research centred/focused on women = often neglecting men
• Research that exaggerates/overestimates differences • EXAMPLE Moscovici’s (1969) minority in uence studies:
between sexes. • Involved female ppts = assumed males would respond in same way.
• P = Research into gend
• Differences undervalue/enhance members of either
sex (typically females undervalued) • E = EXAMPLE individua
Negative Consequences of Gender Bias: themselves as androgyn
• EXAMPLE psychodynamic approach = Oedipus
complex. Freud argued girls don't identify with Alpha Bias: male + female character
mothers as strongly as boys identify with fathers = so • Ignores ways women differ from each other = prejudices + stereotypes. male/ female categories
develop weaker superegos (femininity = failed
masculinity). Beta Bias: • L = Not enough research
• Draws attention away from differences between men + women. accommodate different
• Egalitarian approach BUT results in misrepresentations of both genders. HOWEVER can lead to
A03 Positive Consequences of Gender Bias: • P = Implication of beta-biased research = creates misleading assumptions a
validate discriminatory practices.
Alpha Bias:
• Led theorists (Gilligan) to assert worth + valuation ‘feminine qualities’. • E = EXAMPLE might provide scientific justification to deny women opportunities
• Led to healthy criticism of cultural values (praise ‘male’ qualities = aggression • PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) = critics (Feminists) claim it's a social constructio
as desirable, adaptive + universal). female emotions (anger) by explaining these in hormonal terms ( pb as women
WHEREAS male anger portrayed as rational response to external pressure
Beta Bias:
• L = SO gender bias in research NOT just methodological problem BUT has dam
• Led to view of men + women = equal (equal treatment in legal terms + access affecting lives of real women
to education + employment.
fi fl fl
