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Transforming Our Lives through Self Reflection and Psychology
A psychology professor's collection of lessons fostering self-discovery through online activities, hands-on classroom experiences, engaging lectures, and effective discussion prompts.
Pedagogical Essay by Katie Hope Grobman
Understanding Normative Bias in Psychology to Better Appreciate Ourselves and Others
Examining normative bias in Psychology with vivid examples such as intelligence tests, morality, neurodivergence and gender & sexuality. By recognizing a measuring stick is not object, we can appreciate ourselves and others more.
Have you ever felt like you don't really belong? Like you can kinda' tell you're supposed to be a certain way, but you feel incredibly judgy of yourself for not being able to measure up.
Whether because of your culture or something deeply personal, maybe the problem isn't you, but the measuring stick?
I chose examples because they're vivid, tell us about psychology, and students show surprise and moments of insight. You might assign the essay to discuss in class or embed my examples in your class.
Whether because of your culture or something deeply personal, maybe the problem isn't you, but the measuring stick?
I chose examples because they're vivid, tell us about psychology, and students show surprise and moments of insight. You might assign the essay to discuss in class or embed my examples in your class.
Big Bird, Sesame Street
???? Which one of these things is not like the other? ????
“
So when you get discouraged. Try different. Try again. 'Cause failing might just mean you're trying to climb, instead of swim. When I looked back, that tree was tiny, I had come so far, and the fish were all amazing, though some still had their scars ...
Have you ever felt like you don't really belong? Like you can kind of' tell you're supposed to be a certain way, but you feel incredibly judgy of yourself for not being able to measure up. Maybe it's because you're part of a group looked down upon by mainstream society. Or maybe it's very personal, like your extended family considers money most important, but you chose a career for meaning.
Maybe the problem isn't you, but the measuring stick?
Among our challenges as scientists is how easily we can mistake our ways of measuring for the way of measuring. Our rankings can be very value-laden ways and we may not even realize it. Let's reflect about some vivid example of Psychology's normative bias, and maybe learn something to help ourselves and our field grow.
Maybe the problem isn't you, but the measuring stick?
Among our challenges as scientists is how easily we can mistake our ways of measuring for the way of measuring. Our rankings can be very value-laden ways and we may not even realize it. Let's reflect about some vivid example of Psychology's normative bias, and maybe learn something to help ourselves and our field grow.
Morality
Lawrence Kohlberg (1969) described six stages of moral reasoning. Stages are measuring sticks. By adolescence, boys are typically in stage 4 while girls are still in stage 3 (e.g., Haan et al, 1976; Holstein, 1976). So, do girls lack moral sophistication?
Carol Gilligan (1980) proposes Kohlberg mistakenly assumes a way of moral thinking is the way. She suggests girls speak morality in a different voice, an Ethics of Care, which she contrasts with boy's statistically greater tendency to rely upon an Ethics of Justice.
Gilligan describes children responding to the Heinz dilemma where a man steals drugs to save his wife. A boy flourishes and expands his answers showing the depth of his moral reasoning because he views the dilemma like Kohlberg expects. In stark contrast, a girl is totally perplexed in the same clinical interview with the same dilemma.
Carol Gilligan (1980) proposes Kohlberg mistakenly assumes a way of moral thinking is the way. She suggests girls speak morality in a different voice, an Ethics of Care, which she contrasts with boy's statistically greater tendency to rely upon an Ethics of Justice.
Gilligan describes children responding to the Heinz dilemma where a man steals drugs to save his wife. A boy flourishes and expands his answers showing the depth of his moral reasoning because he views the dilemma like Kohlberg expects. In stark contrast, a girl is totally perplexed in the same clinical interview with the same dilemma.
Fascinated by the power of logic, [Jake] this eleven-year-old boy locates truth in math … Considering the moral dilemma to be "sort of like a math problem with humans," he sets it up as an equation and proceeds to work out the solution.
Asked why he should not steal the drug, [Amy] considers neither property nor law but rather the effect … on the relationship between Heinz and his wife: If he stole the drug, he might save his wife then, but if he did, he might have to go to jail, and then his wife might get sicker again, and he couldn't get more of the drug, and it might not be good. So, they should really just talk it out and find some other way to make the money. Seeing in the dilemma not a math problem with humans but a narrative of relationships that extends over time. Amy … seeks to respond to the druggist's need in a way that would sustain rather than sever connection. … "if somebody has something that would keep somebody alive, then it's not right not to give it to them," ... Amy's answers remain essentially unchanged, the various probes serving neither to elucidate nor to modify her initial response. Amy's confidence begins to diminish, and her replies become more constrained and unsure.
Gilligan, 1980, In a Different Voice
Asked why he should not steal the drug, [Amy] considers neither property nor law but rather the effect … on the relationship between Heinz and his wife: If he stole the drug, he might save his wife then, but if he did, he might have to go to jail, and then his wife might get sicker again, and he couldn't get more of the drug, and it might not be good. So, they should really just talk it out and find some other way to make the money. Seeing in the dilemma not a math problem with humans but a narrative of relationships that extends over time. Amy … seeks to respond to the druggist's need in a way that would sustain rather than sever connection. … "if somebody has something that would keep somebody alive, then it's not right not to give it to them," ... Amy's answers remain essentially unchanged, the various probes serving neither to elucidate nor to modify her initial response. Amy's confidence begins to diminish, and her replies become more constrained and unsure.
Gilligan, 1980, In a Different Voice
Liberals outperform conservatives on both measures of ethics of justice (fairness) and ethic of care (empathy). So, are conservatives morally deficient? Jonathan Haidt (2012) says it's our field's bias because psychology and liberals highly value fairness and care. He suggests conservatives emphasize other moral foundations we're not studying as fully, specifically maintaining purity, loyalty to our in-groups, and obedience to authority.
Intelligence
A common traditional IQ test item is sorting objects into categories – something young children have trouble with. Joe Glick studied categorization among the Kpelle tribe. He tried and failed to teach them to categorize, wondering if maybe they just lacked the mental ability.
Kpelle sorted objects functionally (e.g., potato with hoe). ‘The knife goes with the orange because it cuts it.’ When questioned further, the subject would often volunteer that a wise man would do things in this way. When an exasperated experimenter asked finally, ‘how would a fool do it,’ he was given back sorts of the type that were initially expected — ... neat piles with foods in one, tools in another, and so on. ... They could do it, but in their culture, it was of no practical value. It was stupid.
(Glick, 1975, p 635-6)
(Glick, 1975, p 635-6)
Early IQ tests showed Black students under-performing White students. Why? Interpretations I prefer not to repeat include the usual stereotypes. Robert Williams (1972) created the Black Intelligence Test of Cultural Homogeneity (B!+@$-100). It included vocabulary items, but those chosen specifically because they were part of Black culture. The average Black student scored 87%, while the average White student scores 51%. So, are White people deficient intellectually?
Black Intelligence Test of Cultural Homogeneity (B!+@$-100)
Blood:
a) a vampire
b) a dependent individual
c) an injured person
d) a brother of color
Answer Key: (d) "blood" is a term of endearment for a male relative
Blood:
a) a vampire
b) a dependent individual
c) an injured person
d) a brother of color
Answer Key: (d) "blood" is a term of endearment for a male relative
Neurodivergence
Damian Milton (2012) studied participants playing Telephone. It's a fun childhood game we get giggles from seeing what happens. A group of entirely neurotypical participants get garbled messages. But if you swap some players with some with autism, the garbling gets worse. That sounds like we're seeing how people on the spectrum have trouble communicating. But wait! What if we make the entire group people on the spectrum? Then they're as effective at communication as the entirely neurotypical group. People on the spectrum don't have a communication deficit, but rather a communication difference.
ADHD, literally has "deficit" in acronym. As a high school teacher, I remember a goofy girl in my class who could be disruptive, but she had such fun creative "out there" ideas. One day she came to class and was a well-behaved but sullen teen. It continued for days, and I was concerned about her. Only weeks later did I learn from another teacher our student was now on ADHD meds. She was thrilled about our student's behavior. I was queasy and upset. Her spark was taken from her. I know people who have been profoundly helped by taking medicines. Nevertheless, I spoke with school counselors, who conveyed my concern to her family and doctors. Eventually her doses were lowered. But I take a lesson from the experience. Maybe we should step back and consider part of the challenge of people with ADHD isn't inside them, but rather a dysfunctional society expecting kids to fit rigid ways school works?
ADHD, literally has "deficit" in acronym. As a high school teacher, I remember a goofy girl in my class who could be disruptive, but she had such fun creative "out there" ideas. One day she came to class and was a well-behaved but sullen teen. It continued for days, and I was concerned about her. Only weeks later did I learn from another teacher our student was now on ADHD meds. She was thrilled about our student's behavior. I was queasy and upset. Her spark was taken from her. I know people who have been profoundly helped by taking medicines. Nevertheless, I spoke with school counselors, who conveyed my concern to her family and doctors. Eventually her doses were lowered. But I take a lesson from the experience. Maybe we should step back and consider part of the challenge of people with ADHD isn't inside them, but rather a dysfunctional society expecting kids to fit rigid ways school works?
Gender & Sexuality Diversity
Are LGBTQ+ persons intrinsically mentally ill for being who they are? In 1973, "homosexuality" was removed from the DSM, the consensus manual of psychology's and psychiatry's view of mental illness. But a year earlier an out gay psychologist Martin Rochlin (1972) released the Heterosexual Questionnaire highlighting bias embedded in questions often asked LGBTQ+ persons. He didn't formally publish it, but it was like a present-day meme - spreading widely, tweaked, and reprinted. Clearly it spoke to the community.
Heterosexual Questionnaire
This questionnaire is for self-avowed heterosexuals only. If you are not openly heterosexual, pass it on to a friend who is. Please try to answer the questions as candidly as possible. Your responses will be held in strict confidence and your anonymity fully protected.
1. What do you think caused your heterosexuality?
2. When and how did you first decide you were a heterosexual?
3. Is it possible that your heterosexuality stems from a neurotic fear of others of the same sex?
4. Is it possible that your heterosexuality is just a phase you may grow out of?
5. If you should choose to nurture children, would you want them to be heterosexual, knowing the problems they would face?
6. A disproportionate majority of child molesters are heterosexuals. Do you consider it safe to expose children to heterosexual teachers?
7. Why do you insist on flaunting your heterosexuality? Can't you just be what you are and keep it quiet?
8. Heterosexuals are noted for assigning themselves and each other narrowly restricted, stereotyped sex roles. Why do you cling to such unhealthy role playing?
9. Why do heterosexuals place so much emphasis on sex?
10. With all the societal support marriage receives, the divorce rate is spiraling. Why are there so few stable relationships among heterosexuals?
11. Shouldn't you ask the fringe straight types, like born-again Christian conservatives, to keep quiet? Wouldn't that improve your image?
12. There seem to be very few happy heterosexuals. Techniques have been developed with which you might be able to change if you really want to. Have you considered reparative conversion therapy?
This questionnaire is for self-avowed heterosexuals only. If you are not openly heterosexual, pass it on to a friend who is. Please try to answer the questions as candidly as possible. Your responses will be held in strict confidence and your anonymity fully protected.
1. What do you think caused your heterosexuality?
2. When and how did you first decide you were a heterosexual?
3. Is it possible that your heterosexuality stems from a neurotic fear of others of the same sex?
4. Is it possible that your heterosexuality is just a phase you may grow out of?
5. If you should choose to nurture children, would you want them to be heterosexual, knowing the problems they would face?
6. A disproportionate majority of child molesters are heterosexuals. Do you consider it safe to expose children to heterosexual teachers?
7. Why do you insist on flaunting your heterosexuality? Can't you just be what you are and keep it quiet?
8. Heterosexuals are noted for assigning themselves and each other narrowly restricted, stereotyped sex roles. Why do you cling to such unhealthy role playing?
9. Why do heterosexuals place so much emphasis on sex?
10. With all the societal support marriage receives, the divorce rate is spiraling. Why are there so few stable relationships among heterosexuals?
11. Shouldn't you ask the fringe straight types, like born-again Christian conservatives, to keep quiet? Wouldn't that improve your image?
12. There seem to be very few happy heterosexuals. Techniques have been developed with which you might be able to change if you really want to. Have you considered reparative conversion therapy?
Forty years later (2013), before diagnosis of transgender persons became limited to discomfort (gender dysphoria), conflict arose between psychology and the transgender community. Madeline Wyndzen (2008), a member of both communities reacted.
If a man sought therapy due to unhappiness over his attraction to other men, a therapist would likely diagnose him with depression. If a transsexual sought therapy due to unhappiness over his or her biological sex, a therapist would almost certainly diagnose him or her with Gender Identity Disorder. Whereas gay men are diagnosed for how they suffer, transsexuals are diagnosed for who they are. I find the mental illness labels imposed on transgenderism just as disquieting as the label that used to be imposed on 'homosexuality'. Similar to antiquated ideas suggesting that homosexuality is a deviant sex drive, Blanchard proposed that transsexuality is a mis-directed form of either heterosexuality or homosexuality. Rather than asking the scientifically neutral question, ‘‘What is transgenderism?’’ Blanchard asks, ‘‘What kind of defect in a male’s capacity for sexual learning could produce ... Beginning with these unscientific value judgments is insensitive toward transgendered persons and leads to invalid scientific conclusions by reducing people to stereotypes.
Madeline Wyndzen, 2008, p. 500-501
Madeline Wyndzen, 2008, p. 500-501
Do you see something of yourself and your reactions in any of our examples? Maybe you're from an ethnicity, culture, or religion different from your society's "mainstream." Maybe your sexuality and gender aren't what's expected. It's just so easy for us to look at different, and think worse, even for ourselves. I hope learning examples helps you push back against biases judging you.
I'm personally struck how nearly every example has a psychology expert challenging the normative bias against a group they're a member of. The only study that isn't is Glick figuring out through serendipity (happy accident). the Kpelle really could categorize Glick was a white American. Once source of hope is knowing about the normative bias can help us avoid it. For example, I'm neurotypical but still question how persons with ADHD are treated. I hope seeing how easily we commit the normative bias helps all of us find empathy for other groups and help our field progress with less bias.
I'm personally struck how nearly every example has a psychology expert challenging the normative bias against a group they're a member of. The only study that isn't is Glick figuring out through serendipity (happy accident). the Kpelle really could categorize Glick was a white American. Once source of hope is knowing about the normative bias can help us avoid it. For example, I'm neurotypical but still question how persons with ADHD are treated. I hope seeing how easily we commit the normative bias helps all of us find empathy for other groups and help our field progress with less bias.
References
Gilligan, C. (1980). In a different voice. Harvard University Press.
Glick, J. (1975). Cognitive development in cross-cultural perspective. Review of child development research, 4, 1-14.
Haidt, J. (2012). The righteous mind: Why good people are divided by politics and religion. Pantheon Books.
Milton, D. E. M. (2012). On the ontological status of autism: The 'double empathy problem'. Disability & Society, 27(6), 883-887.
Williams, R. L. (1972). Black intelligence test of cultural homogeneity. St. Louis, MO: Williams.
Wyndzen, M. H. (2008). A social psychology of a history of a snippet in the psychology of transgenderism. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37(3), 498-502
Glick, J. (1975). Cognitive development in cross-cultural perspective. Review of child development research, 4, 1-14.
Haidt, J. (2012). The righteous mind: Why good people are divided by politics and religion. Pantheon Books.
Milton, D. E. M. (2012). On the ontological status of autism: The 'double empathy problem'. Disability & Society, 27(6), 883-887.
Williams, R. L. (1972). Black intelligence test of cultural homogeneity. St. Louis, MO: Williams.
Wyndzen, M. H. (2008). A social psychology of a history of a snippet in the psychology of transgenderism. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37(3), 498-502
This essay is "serious," but the Heterosexuality Questionnaire is an example of academic humor, and if you like it, you might like the entire Humor Section too.
Citation
Grobman, K. H. (2014). Understanding Normative Bias in Psychology to Better Appreciate Ourselves and Others, CopernicanRevolution.org
Grobman, K. H. (2014). Understanding Normative Bias in Psychology to Better Appreciate Ourselves and Others, CopernicanRevolution.org
Judy Garland, 1939, Wizard of Oz
Trivia: Milton Rochlin was Judy Garland's private rehearsal coach for A Star is Born