Notesale: Turn your study into money

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Discuss gender bias within psychology (16 marks) - 6 A01, 10
A03
PLANGender bias definition, limits of universality (define), androcentrism (Asch), beta
bias- minimise (Biopsych+Lee&Harley), alpha bias - maximise (relationships +
Buss)
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Feminist psychologists have argued that psychology has been built on biased
research of males in order to uphold male superiority
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Research should be generalised to both males and
females, but this is limited by androcentrism, beta bias and alpha bias
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This causes female behaviour to be misunderstood
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As well as this, beta bias may occur
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An example of this is from
the topic ‘biopsychology’ as the fight or flight response is generalised to both males and females
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They found that women do
not respond in the same way that men do when faced with stress and ‘tend and befriend’,
seeking social support in a stressful situation, rather than just ‘fight or flight’
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When research is alpha biased, this means it has maximised the differences between males and
females, typically supporting gender stereotypes
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Due to this, the idea of partner preferences is alpha biased as he claims males and females
completely differ in terms of mate selection
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Due to this there is a lack of validity as
Buss’ research reinforces gender stereotypes and not gender differences in mate selection,
creating the issue of gender bias
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This is because it is difficult to see research through completely objective eyes due to everyone
having a gender
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This
is seen through Milgrams study as his sample was a reflection of the aim of his study as he
wanted to investigate the behaviour of Nazi soldiers (who were all male)
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Feminist psychologist further argue that to reduce the effect of gender bias, females behaviour
should be studied in real life environments using qualitative data such as interviews
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If these changed
were made, data into the female experience will be more accurate and less biased which in turn
will reduce gender bias within psychology

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