Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Historical and Social Context of Issue of Sexism in Psychology. (Sexism in…
Historical and Social Context of Issue of Sexism in Psychology.
Argument AO3
If sexism permeates other areas of society, will naturally affect P too - However, as with rest of society, it's improving too.
Sexism = not new nor restricted to P.
Sexism has permeated society in past + arguably still remains today.
Sexism in psychology = in context of sexism over time + in context of long held stereotypes.
Concepts of gender differences can be seen as socially constructed - Many reflect historical view of females as 'fair'/'weaker' sex.
Psychological concepts of gender cannot be understood in isolation - are part of historical + social context.
Not new + permeates many areas of society + psychology.
1
2.
However, issues still exist in society + psychology today.
Awareness of such issues = socially sensitive + arguable that psychology is shining light on sexist attitudes in society.
All of previous positive examples show many psychologists are highlighting unacceptable sexism in science of mind + behaviour.
Scientists of future, children, now more likely to draw scientist as women than ever before.
Attitudes to women in science = undoubtedly change - women more visible.
Sexism in the past
Reflects historical attitudes towards women at time - e..g penis envy reflect women's frustration at lack of freedoms + opportunities given to men.
E.g. Freud = key figure in history of psychology - his research published at start of 20th century.
Research = product of times it was conducted in + historical views of women.
Androcentric theories - many historical examples illustrating sexism in psychology in past.
Sexism in recent psychology
Often assumed that it's men limiting aspirations + undervaluing achievements of women. However, it's not just men.
Mondshein in 2000 asked mothers to predict how successful their babies would be at crawling tasks.
Were no actual gender differences in crawling yet mothers = lower expectations for girls.
Suggests sexism may be ingrained from early age.
Study at Yale Uni showed even scientists known for ability to look at data + make rational + objective decisions systematically evaluated women as more able than men.
Despite men + women having identical qualifications.
In case of hiring decisions, Corinne Moss-Racusin sent job applications for lab manager position out to academics.
Jennifer perceived as less competent than John.
127 scientists in study were M + W.
Assessed John as significantly more competent than Jennifer + offered higher salary + better career mentoring opportunities.
Sexism in recent psychology
Men = 2x as likely to become alcoholic/drug dependent + 40% more likely to develop schizophrenia.
Boys dislexia rate = perhaps 10 times that of girls + they're 4/5 times as likely to get diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
Women = 2x as likely as men to experience clinical depression in lifetime.
Psychology has duty to keep investigating - must call out androcentrism + gynocentrism.
Research currently still supports gender differences that society needs to recognise.
Gender stereotypes still exist in society - it's role of psychologists to challenge these + establish real gender differences not those created by stereotypes + biased scientific research.
Ethical issues
In world where there is increasing concern about violence against women, misogyny, rising number of male suicides, reports of homophobia + transphobia, psychology has ethical duty to be science of mind + behaviour that's inclusive + progressive.
Sexism in the past
Freud's research generally considered outdated.
Has to some extent relegated to an understanding of the past - psychology past to present - presented as historical in psychology education.
Psychology recognises past sexism + has moved on.
Attitudes to female scientists have changed.
Such examples = indeed historical + part of past.
Reporting that in impressive sample of over 7000 children, only 60% saw scientists as men - still 85% of boys.
Miller analysed drawings from Draw A scientist studies conducted from mid eighties onwards.
Indicating that perceptions + attitudes = slowly shifting.
In 1983 scientists children drew = almost exclusively old white men in lab coat.
Evidence AO2
Evaluation A03