Discuss psychodynamic explanations of gender development.
Discuss psychodynamic explanations of gender development. (10 marks)
The psychodynamic approach assumes that development of gender identity is linked to interpersonal relationships between child and parent. Psychologists believe the parent-child relationship forms the mould/prototype which stays with the child their whole life. The approach focuses on the presence of the unconscious mind.
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory is linked to ideas surrounding infantile sexuality. Children pass through stages of development and experience an unconscious conflict at each stage. In the first five years there is the Oral stage, Anal stage and Phallic stage. The Phallic stage is a key stage. During this stage gender divisions occur which lead to children developing gender identity (males develop masculine behaviour and females develop feminine behaviour). This occurs due to the resolution of the Oedipus and Electra complexes.
The Oedipus complex affects boys when their affection for their mother become intensely sexual. Boys see the father as a rival who has the power to castrate them. The unconscious conflict is being torn between love for the mother and fear of the father. The resolved conflict is identifying with the father. The boy assumes a masculine identity and looks to the father as a role model. The Electra complex occurs when the girl becomes aware of the male phallus and that she wants one (penis envy). The girl recognises phallus as a symbol of power. The unconscious conflict is the girl realises she is powerless and the mother is also – loathes mother for making her incomplete. The resolved conflict is converting penis envy into penis baby project. The girl returns to pre-Electra relationship with the mother. She identifies herself as a woman with her mother as a role model.
Evidence to support this theory is the case study of Little Hans. Hans was a child who at the age of four and three quarters developed a phobia associated with horses. He was particularly
The psychodynamic approach assumes that development of gender identity is linked to interpersonal relationships between child and parent. Psychologists believe the parent-child relationship forms the mould/prototype which stays with the child their whole life. The approach focuses on the presence of the unconscious mind.
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory is linked to ideas surrounding infantile sexuality. Children pass through stages of development and experience an unconscious conflict at each stage. In the first five years there is the Oral stage, Anal stage and Phallic stage. The Phallic stage is a key stage. During this stage gender divisions occur which lead to children developing gender identity (males develop masculine behaviour and females develop feminine behaviour). This occurs due to the resolution of the Oedipus and Electra complexes.
The Oedipus complex affects boys when their affection for their mother become intensely sexual. Boys see the father as a rival who has the power to castrate them. The unconscious conflict is being torn between love for the mother and fear of the father. The resolved conflict is identifying with the father. The boy assumes a masculine identity and looks to the father as a role model. The Electra complex occurs when the girl becomes aware of the male phallus and that she wants one (penis envy). The girl recognises phallus as a symbol of power. The unconscious conflict is the girl realises she is powerless and the mother is also – loathes mother for making her incomplete. The resolved conflict is converting penis envy into penis baby project. The girl returns to pre-Electra relationship with the mother. She identifies herself as a woman with her mother as a role model.
Evidence to support this theory is the case study of Little Hans. Hans was a child who at the age of four and three quarters developed a phobia associated with horses. He was particularly