Psychodynamic explanation

• Supporting evidence

  Little Hans- Freud concluded Hans had resolved the Oedipus complex and identified with his father and internalised his male gender. 
• However point for Little Hans

  • Unique situation
  • Subjectively interpreted to fit the idea the Oedipus complex.
  • Retrospective data provided by parent.
• Supporting evidence

  Snortum (1969)- found to have an overly close bond with a controlling mother and rejecting detached fathers, compared to a control group.
• Contradictory evidence

  Golmbok (1983)- children from one-parent families were no more likely to have a confused gender identity than children from 2 parent families. 
• Other explanations

  Gender schema theory
• Issues and debates

  Gender bias
• Lack of scientific rigour

  Concepts such as Oedipus and Electra complex are abstract and impossible to measure. They cannot be tested in an empirical way.