Psychodynamic explanation of gender development

• according to FREUD, gender development occurs in the phallic stage of development
• in the phallic stage (3-5 years) the child's libido (life force) is focused on their genitals
• gender identity develops through resolution of the Oedipus complex (boys) or Electra complex (girls)
• FREUD said if children dont resolve the Oedipus/ Electra conflict, they'd be confused about their sexual identity and would become homosexual or incapable of close love
• FREUD saw girls as only passively identifying with their mothers (they dont have castration anxiety) while boys more actively identify with their fathers
• boys become more active an dominating males with a stronger superego, whilst girls become submissive and would be morally deficient