Many gender differences reported in research is rooted in an ‘essentialist’ perspective- the idea that there are fixed, unchanging differences between the genders.
There are many more male than female researchers at a senior scientific level, meaning the concerns of women are less likely to be addressed.
Gender bias creates and reinforces negative stereotypes, often around female behaviour, and could be used to justify unfair treatment of the sexes (for example, arguing that women should prioritise the domestic role over a career as they are more ‘naturally suited’ to it).
This means that research is conducted mostly by males, using male participants, meaning that the male experience is set as the ‘normal’ standard of behaviour, and that if females show different behaviours they may be judged as abnormal. For example, Asch found relatively high rates of conformity in his line-length study, but when females have been tested in similar ways, even higher rates of conformity have been found.Īndrocentrism: A male-centred standpoint. This means any potential differences between the genders is not considered. This occurs even if only one gender has been used in research. Therefore, males and females who do not act in these ways may be going against their ‘nature’ somehow.īeta bias is where differences between males and females are minimised or ignored a theory or findings from research are thought to apply in exactly the same way to both genders. Females are more likely to be non-physically aggressive, as this is less risky to their survival, meaning they are more likely to successfully raise offspring. According to evolutionary theory, males are more likely to be physically aggressive, in order to ward off threats to status and rivals. For example, men and women may respond differently in situations involving aggression. Alpha bias is where the difference between males and females are exaggerated or over-emphasised. Bias undermines the claim of psychological research and theories to be applicable to every human (this applicability is known as universality).
Dealing with Offending Behaviour: Custodial Sentencingīias in psychological research in theories refers to the effects that the psychologist’s own background and values may have on a theory or outcome of a study.
Psychological Explanations of Offending Behaviour.
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