Androcentrism

by Yum Yum Mama Team February 1, 2025

What is Androcentrism?

Androcentrism is a term used in psychology and sociology to describe a male-centered perspective, where male behaviour is considered the norm and female behaviour is often viewed as deviant, inferior, or less significant. This bias has historical roots in patriarchal societies, where men held dominant positions in power, leadership, and knowledge production.

Examples of Androcentrism in Psychology

Freud’s Psychodynamic Theory – Sigmund Freud’s theories were heavily androcentric. His model of psychosexual development describes penis envy in females, implying that women’s psychological development is defined by a perceived lack of male traits.
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development – Kohlberg’s research on moral reasoning was based solely on male participants and assumed universal applicability. Carol Gilligan later criticised this approach, arguing that women’s morality is more relationship-focused, rather than rule-based.
Asch’s Conformity Studies – Many classic psychological studies, such as Solomon Asch’s research on conformity, were conducted using only male participants, yet their findings were generalized to both genders.

Androcentrism vs. Sexism

While sexism is an overt discrimination against a gender, androcentrism is more subtle. It is the tendency to take male perspectives as standard while overlooking or minimising female perspectives. This bias can affect research validity, leading to findings that do not apply to half the population.

How Androcentrism Affects Society

Medical Research: Many drug trials historically tested medications on male subjects, leading to a lack of understanding of their effects on female bodies.
Workplace Norms: Leadership traits such as assertiveness and decisiveness are often associated with masculinity, sidelining women who may exhibit different leadership styles.
Education: School curricula traditionally prioritised male authors, scientists, and historical figures, leading to the underrepresentation of female contributions.

Avoiding Androcentrism in Psychological Research

To ensure fair and unbiased psychological research, psychologists can implement the following measures:

Use both male and female participants to ensure research findings are applicable to all genders.
Avoid overgeneralisation from male samples to the entire population.
Recognise and reduce gender biases in research design and interpretation.
Ensure equal representation of both genders in research teams to introduce diverse perspectives.

Exam Questions & Answers

Q1: What is meant by androcentrism? (2 marks)

Answer: Androcentrism is a male-centered view of the world, where male behaviours, experiences, and perspectives are seen as the norm. Female behaviours may be considered deviant, less important, or abnormal in comparison.

Q2: Suggest two ways in which psychologists could avoid gender bias in their research. (2 marks)

Answer:

Use both male and female participants in research to ensure findings are applicable to all genders.
Avoid exaggerating gender differences (alpha bias) or ignoring real differences (beta bias) in psychological studies.

Conclusion

Androcentrism remains a significant issue in psychology and broader society. Recognising and addressing it in research, education, and everyday life can lead to a more inclusive and representative understanding of human behaviour.