psychodynamic explanation of gender development, freuds psychodynamic theory

Question 1

Oedipus Complex

Answer 1

boys develop incestuous feelings towards their mother and are jealous of their father as he possesses the mother
castration anxiety= boys recognises the father is more powerful and will castrate him if he finds out about his feelings
to resolve the anxiety gives up feelings for mother and identifies with father

Question 2

Electra Complex

Answer 2

girls have double resentment towards their mothers
love rival for the father and think mother castrated them in the womb so have Penis Envy
Carl Jung suggests over time girls accept they will never have a penis and substitute penis envy for wanting children identifying with the mother
no castration anxiety means weaker gender identity than boys

Question 3

identification and internalisation

Answer 3

both sexes identify (want to be like them as they have desirable characteristics) with same-sex parent and resolves their complexes
then internalise their attitudes and values and take on their gender identity
both have a ‘second-hand’ gender identity at the end of the phallic stage

Question 4

EVALUATION
strength
supportive research
Little Hans

Answer 4

Freud suggests this case study supports
Hans’ fear of being bitten by the horse represents his castration anxiety as his father wore similar glasses to the horse’s blinkers
fear disappeared after identifying and having ‘second-hand’ gender identity from father
gender identity does develop identification with the same sex model to resolve unconscious conflicts

Question 5

EVALUATION
strength
supportive research
Levin

Answer 5

reported 32 cases of patients with bipolar disorder
psychoanalysis found 22 had an unresolved Electra complex and 12 due to issues in psychosexual development
link between unresolved stage of development and later mental health problems

Question 6

EVALUATION
strength
practical applications

Answer 6

if we know children develop gender identity 3-6 by identifying same sex parent
they can be informed and encouraged to demonstrate less gender stereotypical behaviour
benefit children have les rigid gender identity and reduce inequality in society

Question 7

EVALUATION
weakness
conflicting evidence
Blakemore & Hill

Answer 7

implies sons of very harsh fathers have a stronger gender identity because of higher levels of castration anxiety= stronger identification
Blakemore & Hill= boys with more liberal fathers are more secure in masculine identity
reduces validity is the opposite to psychodynamic explanation of gender

Question 8

EVALUATION
weakness
lack of scientific rigour

Answer 8

concepts are untestable and rely on subjective interpretation as are not observable
Karl Popper= theory is pseudoscientific as key ideas can’t be falsified
approach relies on Freuds methods, not valid

Question 9

EVALUATION
weakness
gender bias
Karen Horney

Answer 9

argues womb envy in men is more powerful than penis envy in women
challenges idea female gender development is based on desire to be like a man
androcentric assumption based on patriarchal Victorian era Freud lived in
work on gender lacks temporal validity not applicable to current society with more gender equality