Psychodynamic explanation

Question 1

What is a strength of Freuds theory

Answer 1

Research support for Oedipus complex
Rekers and Morey rated the gender identity of 49 boys aged 3-11 and found that 75% of those said to be gender disturbed had absent fathers with no substitute
-This is in line with what freuds theory would predict

Question 2

What is a limitation of Freuds theory

Answer 2

Criticism of Rekers and Moreys finding
Bos and Standfort compared children from lesbian families and traditional families and found no differences in terms of gender identity.
-Absence of fathers may not have a profound effect on gender development as Freuds theory would predict

Question 3

What is another limitation of Freuds theory?

Answer 3

Inadequate account for human development
-Many fo the research of women was done by Carl Jung not Freud as his admitted females were a mystery to them
-Research may just reflect androcentric nature of Victorian era
-Horney adds that boys have womb envy in response to womens ability to sustain life

Question 4

What is a further limitation of Freuds theory

Answer 4

Pseudoscientific
Another limtation is the psychodynamic explanation lacks scientific credibility
-use of case studies as well as untestable concepts such as penis envy that in unconscious and thus unfalsifiable (Popper) so cannot be falsified