12.1.3

Gender & Cultural Bias

Test yourself

Validity of Diagnosis - Gender Bias

Gender bias is defined as an inclination towards, or prejudice against a particular gender.

Illustrative background for __Longenecker et al. (2010)__ Illustrative background for __Longenecker et al. (2010)__  ?? "content

Longenecker et al. (2010)

  • According to Longenecker et al., (2010), schizophrenia diagnosis might suffer from gender bias because of the disproportionate number of men diagnosed with disorder in comparison to women.
Illustrative background for __Cotton et al. (2009)__Illustrative background for __Cotton et al. (2009)__ ?? "content

Cotton et al. (2009)

  • While it could be that more men are diagnosed because they are more genetically vulnerable, it could also be because women are able to function better with the disorder than men.
  • According to Cotton et al. (2009), female patients appear to be more able to continue in work and have good family relationships. This better interpersonal functioning might lead to practitioners under-diagnosing schizophrenia in women.

Validity of Diagnosis - Cultural Bias

Cultural bias refers to the process of judging someone against your own cultural norms.

Illustrative background for Cultural bias - illustrative exampleIllustrative background for Cultural bias - illustrative example ?? "content

Cultural bias - illustrative example

  • Cultural bias might account for higher numbers of African American and others of Afro-Caribbean descent being diagnosed with schizophrenia compared to in Africa and the West Indies, where rates are not particularly high.
Illustrative background for Different cultural attitudesIllustrative background for Different cultural attitudes ?? "content

Different cultural attitudes

  • Some African cultures have different attitudes to some positive symptoms, such as hearing voices, which can be more acceptable because of their beliefs about communicating with ancestors.
    • This would mean that some symptoms seen as acceptable in some cultures would be seen as atypical in others.
Illustrative background for Supporting study - __Escobar (2012)__Illustrative background for Supporting study - __Escobar (2012)__ ?? "content

Supporting study - Escobar (2012)

  • Escobar (2012) has suggested that, because the psychiatric profession is dominated by white people, psychiatrists might be over-interpreting symptoms and distrusting the honesty of black people during diagnosis.

Jump to other topics

1Social Influence

2Memory

3Attachment

4Psychopathology

5Approaches in Psychology

6Biopsychology

7Research Methods

8Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

9Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

11Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

12Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

13Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

14Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

15Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

16Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

17Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson