Psychodynamic Explanations - SEX & GENDER

Question 1

which concepts did Freudian theories use

Answer 1

internalisation and identification (from SLT)

Question 2

define internalisation

Answer 2

accepting other’s beliefs because they resonate with yours

Question 3

define identification

Answer 3

complying to gain access to a group, then (usually) accepting it overtime

Question 4

what can internalisation and identification be used to explain

Answer 4

in-group/out-group preferences in GST
rejection of gender-inappropriate behaviour in Kohlberg’s theory
persistence of sex-role stereotypes

Question 5

what is the oedipus complex

Answer 5

Freud’s (1905) phallic stage of psychosexual development

Question 6

what gender development does the oedipus complex focus on

Answer 6

boys

Question 7

first stage of oedipus complex

Answer 7

boy becomes aware of sexuality and desires mother’s full attention - sees father as threat/competition

Question 8

second stage of oedipus complex

Answer 8

boy wishes father was dead; fears his revenge if he finds out - castration anxiety. boy represses the anxiety

Question 9

what is castration anxiety

Answer 9

when the boy wishes the father dead (so he can have full mother’s attention) but fears his response if father found out

Question 10

third stage of oedipus complex

Answer 10

father’s behaviours are imitated to impress mother, leading to identification with male gender behaviours

Question 11

fourth stage of oedipus complex

Answer 11

conflict is resolved when boy no longer feels competition against father. superego develops

Question 12

who was the electra complex proposed by

Answer 12

Jung (1913)

Question 13

what gender does the electra complex involve

Answer 13

girls

Question 14

why was the electra complex proposed

Answer 14

to address the criticisms that Freud’s theories were gender biased (beta bias)

Question 15

what did Freud originally call the electra complex and why

Answer 15

the ‘feminine oedipus attitude’ - implied that girls are failed/lesser boys and ignored differences

Question 16

first stage of electra complex

Answer 16

girls are initially attracted to their mother but are confused when they discover she has no penis

Question 17

second stage of electra complex

Answer 17

girl resents mother (penis envy), assuming she doesn’t have one because the mother felt inadequate and castrated her

Question 18

third stage of electra complex

Answer 18

girl begins to feel sexual attraction to the father instead

Question 19

fourth stage of electra complex

Answer 19

girl fails to identify with father as she observes gender differences. penis envy is replaced by desire for the baby and then she identifies with mother’s role