Discuss gender bias in Psychology. Using examples, refer to Alpha and Beta bias in your
answer (16)
A gender bias is a difference in representation of the genders, Men and Women. Which are often
based upon stereotypes or inaccurate information/views about the genders. Within psychology
Women are often ignored or not researched properly compared to their male counterparts, just
viewing them through society's view of women.
There are two different types of gender bias. The first is Alpha bias where it is assumed that men and
women are different when they may not be. For example, Kohlberg believed in a male norm and
females were viewed as failed men. He assumed that as females couldn’t undergo the oedipus
complex, however more recent research developed the electra complex specifically for girls/women.
This is an alpha bias because he assumed that there were differences between males and females with
little research to support the claims. The second type of gender bias is assuming males and females
are the same when they are not; this is known as a Beta bias. For example, the FBI only used a male
only sample of serial killers to develop their typologies for offender profiling. This is a beta bias
because the profiles were developed using males and then assumed to apply for female murderers as
well, which has been proven to not be the case, female serial killers are different in terms of motive
and patterns. So using a male profile for women is a problem.
A limitation of gender bias is Women have been found to be diagnosed with depression at a
significantly higher rate. Doctors may be biassed in their mental health diagnosis. E.g. They would
like to learn more about female symptoms. Then, if the symptoms are the same, they tend to be
diagnosed. Suggesting Women are more likely than men to suffer from depression when it could be
due to other factors. This can lead to women being overdiagnosed with depression due to medical
generalisations. Therefore, suggesting women suffer from depression more than men, when it's
actually due to Alpha bias, doctors exaggerate the difference between males and females in rates of
depression.
Another flaw with gender bias is that it has societal consequences. Gender biassed research, for
example, could provide scientific justification for discrimination in the workplace or in society at
large. Females, for example, are often viewed as slaves to their biology and hormones, which can
lead to inaccurate judgments about their behaviour. Therefore, both Alpha and Beta bias will affect
societies opinions and some of the most important institutions such as: Healthcare.
A somewhat strength of gender bias is that Feminist psychology offers ways of reducing gender bias
in psychology. Arguing that evidence that presents women as inferior can be used to provide help for
women to improve. For example, Eagly acknowledged that females are less successful leaders, but
instead of using this knowledge to oppress women, this knowledge should be used to offer training
to females in order to produce more female leaders. As a result, psychology does not have to have a
gender bias that oppresses women; instead, it can be used to assist women.
answer (16)
A gender bias is a difference in representation of the genders, Men and Women. Which are often
based upon stereotypes or inaccurate information/views about the genders. Within psychology
Women are often ignored or not researched properly compared to their male counterparts, just
viewing them through society's view of women.
There are two different types of gender bias. The first is Alpha bias where it is assumed that men and
women are different when they may not be. For example, Kohlberg believed in a male norm and
females were viewed as failed men. He assumed that as females couldn’t undergo the oedipus
complex, however more recent research developed the electra complex specifically for girls/women.
This is an alpha bias because he assumed that there were differences between males and females with
little research to support the claims. The second type of gender bias is assuming males and females
are the same when they are not; this is known as a Beta bias. For example, the FBI only used a male
only sample of serial killers to develop their typologies for offender profiling. This is a beta bias
because the profiles were developed using males and then assumed to apply for female murderers as
well, which has been proven to not be the case, female serial killers are different in terms of motive
and patterns. So using a male profile for women is a problem.
A limitation of gender bias is Women have been found to be diagnosed with depression at a
significantly higher rate. Doctors may be biassed in their mental health diagnosis. E.g. They would
like to learn more about female symptoms. Then, if the symptoms are the same, they tend to be
diagnosed. Suggesting Women are more likely than men to suffer from depression when it could be
due to other factors. This can lead to women being overdiagnosed with depression due to medical
generalisations. Therefore, suggesting women suffer from depression more than men, when it's
actually due to Alpha bias, doctors exaggerate the difference between males and females in rates of
depression.
Another flaw with gender bias is that it has societal consequences. Gender biassed research, for
example, could provide scientific justification for discrimination in the workplace or in society at
large. Females, for example, are often viewed as slaves to their biology and hormones, which can
lead to inaccurate judgments about their behaviour. Therefore, both Alpha and Beta bias will affect
societies opinions and some of the most important institutions such as: Healthcare.
A somewhat strength of gender bias is that Feminist psychology offers ways of reducing gender bias
in psychology. Arguing that evidence that presents women as inferior can be used to provide help for
women to improve. For example, Eagly acknowledged that females are less successful leaders, but
instead of using this knowledge to oppress women, this knowledge should be used to offer training
to females in order to produce more female leaders. As a result, psychology does not have to have a
gender bias that oppresses women; instead, it can be used to assist women.
