psychoanalytic theory

• psychodynamic approach states child development occurs through 5 stages- oral, anal, phallic, latency and genital
• phallic stage- where gender development occurs (age 3-6), an unconscious process where children begin to have a concept of gender identity
• prior to age 3-6 children were neither male or female and only develop gender after experiencing the oedipus/electra complex
• According to Freud, complexes are resolved when children identify with same sex parent causing them to internalise behaviours associated to that sex, this occurs at the end of the phallic stage and they develop the superego in relation to this
• oedipus complex- experienced by males, develops romantic feeling for mother, jealousy and fear to father, father more powerful which causes castration anxiety
• electra complex- experienced by females, develops romantic feelings to the father, resentment + penis envy towards mother, believes mother has castrated them
• strengths- the case study of little hans, hans had a phobia of horses during the phallic stage, experiencing the oedipus complex, scared of his father. Father resembled horse e.g. dark patch of horse represented fathers beard. Therefore, case study provides support for Freud's theory of psychosexual development.
• Strengths- his theory has highlighted the importance of childhood in mental health e.g. gender diaspora. Psychodynamic understanding of gender can offer explanations why gender disorders develop such as failure to overcome electra/oedipus complex (phallic stage). therefore Freud's theory has led to positive applications
• weakness- the case study of little hans cannot be generalised to wider population, taking an ideographic approach, illustrating that Freud's theory provides a limited explanation of gender development.
• Fails to consider role of hormones in gender development. For example, Quadango et al injected testosterone in monkeys - exhibited more

  aggressive behaviour, showing that this theory is limited as it focuses too much on the influences of childhood. neglecting the role of biology.
• weakness- androcentric- concept of penis envy (desiring to be 'boys'), women having a weaker gender identity due to the absence of castration anxiety in the electra complex. demonstrates his theory is outdated and negative implications for women in society.