Issues and Debates

Androcentrism

Alpha Bias

• Exaggerates male and female differences
• E.g. Oedipus & Electra complex - women don't develop superego - inferior to men as they have no castration anxiety

Beta Bias

• Ignore/minimise differences between men & women
• Tend and befriend - women are more calm when stressed out whereas men are more irratic - different responses

Universality

Counter androcentrism by taking female perspective

• Acknowledges biologicl differences
• Alert society about social stereotypes
• Use research suggesting women are inferior to promote change
• E.g. Eagly - women less effective leaders - train women to effectively lead - as it's a social construct and not biological

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