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08.1a Essay Gender Bias With Comments PDF

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54 views2 pages

08.1a Essay Gender Bias With Comments PDF

Uploaded by

mass Loreti
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Issues and Debates Essays

Essay Title: Discuss gender bias in psychology. (16 marks)


A gender bias occurs when men or women are treated or
represented differently in psychological research.
Psychology has historically been a male-dominated field,
and consequently many psychological theories assume and A well-detailed
represent a male point-of-view. This is known as introduction which
androcentrism. There are two types of gender bias that can outlines and defines
occur: alpha and beta bias. the key terms.

When a theory or study assumes that there is a real


difference between males and females, then an alpha bias The term alpha bias
is said to have occurred. A prime example is Freud’s theory is defined with and
of psychoanalysis which viewed femininity as a form of an example
failed masculinity. Consequently, Freud’s theory demonstrates
exaggerated the differences between males and females, additional
which is an example of an alpha bias. knowledge.

A beta bias, on the other hand, occurs when a theory or The term beta is
study minimises the real differences between males and defined, drawing on
females. For example, biological psychologists have an example for
typically used only male animals to examine the fight-or- biological
flight response. This beta-biased approach meant that psychology.
female behaviour went largely unexamined until recently.
These biases obscure the central aim of psychology which The term
is to generate theories that have universality and apply to universality has
all people. been introduced.

One of the main limitations of psychological research is


that issues of gender bias often go unchallenged. For
example, Darwin’s established theory of sexual selection
suggests that women are selective (choosy) in terms of
mate selection. These views have only recently been
challenged by DNA evidence suggesting that women are A highly effective
equally as competitive as men when the need arises. This evaluation point,
highlights the importance of continually challenging outlining a
earlier gender research, and reducing gender bias to limitation of gender
ensure that a valid picture of women is portrayed in bias with a clear
contemporary studies. example.

Contemporary psychologists have looked for ways to


reduce gender bias, proposing a number of solutions. For
example, some psychologists attempt to develop theories
that emphasise the importance or value of women.
Cornwell et al. (2013) noted that females are better at
learning, as they are more attentive and organised, thus
© tutor2u AQA A Level Psychology Sample Essay (Edition 1)
Specification 7181, 7182 For Teaching from September 2015
Issues and Debates Essays

emphasising both the value and the positive attributes of The answer
women. As a result, this type of research helps to reduce or explores different
challenge gender stereotypes which is important in ways to reduce
reducing gender bias. gender bias.

Another way to reduce gender bias is to take a feminist


approach which attempts to restore the imbalance in both
psychological theories and research. For example, feminist
psychology accepts that there are biological differences
between males and females: Research by Eagly (1978) The answer
actually claims that female are less effective leaders than explores different
males. However, the purpose of Eagly’s claim is to help perspectives, again
researchers develop training programmes aimed at drawing on further
reducing the lack of female leaders in the real-world. research.

However, not all psychologists agree with Eagly, and some


psychologists claim that males and females are not The essay
significantly different and that it is the research introduces a
methodology used in gender research which is biased, counter-argument
resulting in males and females appearing different when effectively and
they are not. This is important because it could reduce the explores two
validity of gender theories and research, resulting in an different sides to
alpha bias. However, this can also result in a beta bias, the issue of
which on the one hand promotes equal treatment but on research
the other also draws attention away from important methodology in
differences between males and females. gender research.

There should be no doubt that gender bias still exists. While this is a nice
Despite the many attempts to overcome it in research and conclusion it adds
theory, psychologists should always consider these issues little value to the
before conducting research. essay.

[550 words]
Examiner style comments: Mark band 4
This is an excellent essay which uses a wealth of specialist terminology, theories
and perspectives to tackle the question. The knowledge is well-detailed and
there is a clear understand of the different terms. The evaluation is extensive
and always effective, focusing on the debate surrounding gender bias in
psychological research.

© tutor2u AQA A Level Psychology Sample Essay (Edition 1)


Specification 7181, 7182 For Teaching from September 2015

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