Gender bias in psychology By the end of the lesson, you will have: Recapped Gender bias and its different types Re-visited the implications of gender bias for psychological research and society Hopefully used examples from a range of topics to illustrate different types of gender bias in psychological theories and research studies

Starter Gender bias: The differential treatment or representation of men and women based on stereotypes rather than real differences. Print this slide

What problems/consequences can be associated with these biases? The aim of psychology is UNIVERSALITY – to develop theories that apply to all people, which may include real differences. However, this is not also the class. Gender and cultural bias threaten the universality of findings in psychology. Bias may be an inevitable aspect of the research process because psychologist are people who- just like the rest of us-possess beliefs and values that have been influenced by the social and historical context within which they live. Hare-Mustin and Marek (1988) proposed that there are 2 different ways that theories can be biased. Alpha bias: Theories that assume there are real and enduring differences between men and women. Thus they exaggerate the difference between men and women Beta bias: Refers to theories that ignore or minimise gender difference. They do this by assuming that all people are the same and therefore it is reasonable to apply the same theories/methods with both men and women What problems/consequences can be associated with these biases? Most theories have been created by male researchers and most researches have used ‘all-male sample’ and as a result the tend to represent a male-world view. This is described as androcentrism. This can lead to female behaviour being misunderstood, being judged as ‘abnormal’ or ‘deficient’ by comparison. These differences can or are likely to devalue one gender in comparison to the other, usually females.

Did you see the tutor2U video answer on the blog? Exam focus: Briefly outline one problem associated with alpha bias in psychological research, and one problem associated with beta bias in psychological research. [4 marks] How would you answer this question? How are the marks allocated? What would you need to identify and explain in this question? 2 marks: Define alpha and beta bias in context of answer 2 marks: outlining the problems associated with each of these. i.e explain why it is an issue Did you see the tutor2U video answer on the blog?

How many marks would you award this response?

WHAT IS ANDROCENTRISM AND HOW HAS IT AFFECTED Psychological RESEARCH ? Androcentrism is a consequence of beta bias. When a study conducted only on males is then generalised also to females The issue is - If our understanding of ‘normal’ behaviour is being drawn from research that involves ‘all male’ samples, then behaviour that deviates from this is seen as ‘abnormal’ by comparison. The implication of this is that female behaviour is misunderstood and at worst, their behaviour pathologised – taken as a sign of psychological instability or disorder. For example, many Feminist commentators have objected to the diagnostic category Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) on the grounds that it stereotypes and trivialises experience. They believe that PMS is a social construct which medicalised females emotions, especially anger, explaining anger as a result of hormones. Male anger, on the other hand, is often seen as a rational response to external pressure (Brescoll and Uhman, 2008).

Sociobiological theory : Example of alpha bias in relationship formation The sociobiological explanation for sex differences in mating strategies suggests that it is in a male’s interest to try and impregnate as many women as possible as this will guarantee that his genes will be passed down to the next generation. For the female, however, her best chance is to ensure a healthy survival of her offspring which would guarantee that her genes are passed on. This means picking the best mate available, one who will be loyal and provide resources. This theory therefore suggests that sexual promiscuity in males is genetically determined, while females who engage in similar activity are seen as going against their nature.

AO3 – discuss the positive and/or negative consequences that gender bias creates PHB: Pink hair book What are some of the major implications of gender bias? (PHB) What does Feminist psychologist Judith Worrell (1992) say that can be done to avoid gender bias in research? (PHB) Alpha and beta bias truly does exist in psychological research. Psychology has been criticised for being guilty in supporting a form of ‘institutional sexism’ that creates bias in theory and research. Give two CONSEQUENCES related to sexism within psychology that could be a result of gender bias Explain. (PHB) What are the possible advantages of beta-bias. Hare-Mustin and Marek however believe that these ‘advantages’ actually place women at more of a disadvantage. Explain (DB) Modern researchers are beginning to recognise the effect their own values and assumptions have on the nature of their work and are embracing it. What did Dambrin and Lambert find? Reflexivity is an important development in psychology and may lead to greater awareness of the role of personal bias in research. (PHB) For an A* level of understanding you must read and research these 5 discussion points. Once read you then need to make it into an AO3 point. You must initially make your point (identify if it’s a positive or negative consequence of bias), then give evidence to support that point, then explain how it relates to your original point or link back to the original point. Extension

Example of a PEEL AO3 paragraph P: Gender biased research can create various negative implications on one gender’s behaviour. E: Since most psychological research and theory is said to favour males and create a male- world view (androcentric), this consequently creates misleading assumptions about female behaviour. E:Women would be negatively judged as being inferior to men and in turn this can create problems where they would be denied opportunities within the work place or wider society. L: Such problems could be detrimental to the mental well-being of women, for example, statistics show that females are around twice as diagnosed with depression. Therefore, gender bias in research is not just a methodological problem, but may also have damaging consequences which affects the lives and prospects of real women. Point made. Point explained further. Point elaborated. Implication of the point made clear.

Positive consequences of Gender BIAS: ALPHA Bias: -has led to some theorists (Gilligan) to assert the worth of ‘feminine qualities’. -has led to healthy criticism of cultural values that praise certain ‘male’ qualities such as aggression and individualism as desirable, adaptive and universal. BETA Bias: -makes people see men and women as the same, which has led to equal treatment in legal terms and equal access to, for example, education and employment. Negative consequences of BIAS: -focus on differences between genders leads to the implication of similarity WITHIN genders, thus this ignores the many ways females differ from each other. -Can sustain prejudices and stereotypes -Draws attention away from the differences in power between men and women -is considered as an egalitarian approach but it results in major misrepresentations of both genders.

Extension Activity Which assessment objective does this question imply? Rule of thumb: approx. 25 words per mark Name the theory/research, explain the theory, tell the examiner how it demonstrates alpha/beta bias. Describe one example of a research/theory that demonstrates alpha bias (4 marks) Describe one example of a research/theory that demonstrates beta bias (4 marks) What is one possible consequence of beta bias? Identify, define and explain. (3 marks) Want an A*? >> Answer the above questions using textbook resources

Read ahead – Culture Bias in Psychological Research is up next