Psychodynamic explanation of gender development Flashcards
What are the 2 key concepts of Freud’s gender development theory?
Identification and internalisation
Which psychosexual stage did Freud propose gender develops in?
The phallic stage
What is identification?
When an individual adopts an attitude because they want to be associated with a particular person/group
What is internalisation?
When an individual accepts the behaviour of another
What age does the phallic stage occur?
3-6 years
What 2 complexes did Freud suggest through which gender identity is resolved?
Electra complex and oedipus complex
Does the Oedipus complex apply to boys or girls?
Boys
Does the Electra complex apply to boys or girls?
Girls
According to the Oedipus complex, who do boys desire?
Their mothers
According to the Oedipus complex, who do boys see as their rivals?
Their fathers
According to the Oedipus complex, why do boys see their fathers as rivals?
As they want their mother’s sole attention
According to the Oedipus complex, why do boys suffer castration anxiety?
Because they wish their fathers would die and worry he realises this
How is the Oedipus complex resolved?
Boys begin to identify with their father
According to the Oedipus complex, how do boys develop their gender?
They internalise their father’s gender identity
According to the Electra complex, who are young girls initially attracted to?
Their mothers
According to the Electra complex, why do girls stop being attracted to their mothers?
They realise she doesn’t have a penis
According to the Electra complex, why do girls blame their mothers?
They blame her for being the reason they don’t have a penis
According to the Electra complex, who is their sexual desire transferred to?
Their father
When the Electra complex is resolved, what is penis envy changed to?
The desire to have a baby
How does the Electra complex explain gender identity?
When girls are no longer angry at their mothers, they identify with them + internalise her behaviours
What did Freud claim that phallic fixation led to?
Amoral behaviour + Homosexuality
What are the 4 AO3 points for the psychodynamic explanation of gender development?
1) Little Hans case study
2) Child sexual awareness
3) Alternative psychodynamic explanation
4) Lacks predictive validity
How old was Little Hans?
5 years old
What did Little Hans have a phobia of?
Horses