Psychodynamic Explanation Of Gender Development

Question 1

Briefly describe the psychoanalytic theory.

Answer 1

This theory suggests gender identity occurs from successful resolution of complexes, an unconscious process. It happens at the end of the phallic stage (3-6 years). Prior to this children have no concept of gender identity and no visible differences between boys and girls behaviour. Unsuccessful resolution leads to fixation at phallic stage leading to possible homosexuality, amoral behaviour or being incapable/ afraid of close love.

Question 2

Explain the Oedipus complex process.

Answer 2

Around 3 years, boys develop sexual desire for their mother and jealousy/ hatred towards their father. The id wants to eliminate the father but ego knows he is stronger. Boy fears dad will castrate him if he finds out about the feelings. In order to resolve the conflict between desire for mother and castration anxiety the boy identified with the father (identification) and internalised his gender identity (internalisation)

Question 3

Explain the Electra complex.

Answer 3

Girls are initially attracted to mother until they realise she doesn’t have a penis. Girl blames mother for her lack of penis believing she has been cast rated and develops penis envy as the penis is a symbol of power. The girl transfers the sexual desire to her father. Resolution occurs when desire for penis changes to desire for a baby. Anger towards mother reduces and identification and internalisation occur, but not as strong as males.

Question 4

Evaluate this theory (SCIP)

Answer 4

S: little Hans - 5 years old, fear of horses after he watched horse collapse in the street. Interpreted this as castration anxiety from father. Displaced it onto horses. Subjective and no real evidence.
C: higher anxiety levels = higher levels of identification with aggressor, so harsher fathers = stronger sense of identity, but research shows men with liberal fathers are more robust with gender identity. Also this theory suggests homosexual couples would cause atypical gender identity but 1/37 children of homosexual couples did so this is disproved.
I: lacks temporal validity and has a lot of alpha bias as Freud focussed on the development of males and says their identity is stronger. Lacks test ability due to elements like complex.