Psychodynamic explanation of gender developement

• How many stages are in Freud's developmental theory?

  Five stages
• At what stage does gender development occur according to Freud?

  During the phallic stage
• What ages define the phallic stage in Freud's theory?

  Ages 3 to 6
• What does Freud say about children before the phallic stage?

  They are bi-sexual with no gender identity
• What complex do boys experience during the phallic stage?

  The Oedipus Complex
• What feelings do boys develop towards their mother in the Oedipus Complex?

  Incestuous feelings
• What do boys feel towards their father in the Oedipus Complex?

  Jealousy due to power
• What is castration anxiety in Freud's theory?

  Fear of being castrated by the father
• How do boys resolve their castration anxiety?

  By identifying with their father
• What complex do girls experience during the phallic stage?

  The Electra Complex
• What do girls feel towards their mother in the Electra Complex?

  Double resentment
• What is penis envy according to Freud?

  Desire for a penis due to feelings of inadequacy
• How do girls resolve their penis envy according to Carl Jung?

  By desiring to have children
• What is the outcome of girls' lack of castration anxiety?

  Weaker gender identity than boys
• What do both sexes do to resolve their respective complexes?

  Identify with their same-sex parent
• What do children internalize from their same-sex parent?

  Attitudes and values
• When do children receive their gender identity according to Freud?

  At the end of the phallic stage
• What are the strengths of the psychodynamic explanation of gender development?

  • Supporting research from Freud's Little Hans case
  • Levin's study linking unresolved complexes to mental health
  • Practical applications for parents to reduce gender stereotypes
• What are the weaknesses of the psychodynamic explanation of gender development?

  • Conflicting evidence from Blakemore & Hill
  • Lack of scientific rigour in Freud's methods
  • Gender bias in Freud's theories
• What did Freud's Little Hans case study suggest?

  Support for the psychodynamic explanation
• What did Levin's 1921 study find regarding bipolar disorder patients?

  Link to unresolved Electra complex
• What implication does Freud's theory have for parents?

  Encouragement to reduce gender stereotypical behavior
• What did Blakemore & Hill (2008) find about boys with liberal fathers?

  They are more secure in their masculine identity
• Why is Freud's theory criticized for lack of scientific rigour?

  Many concepts are untestable and subjective
• What did Karl Popper say about Freud's theory?

  It is pseudoscientific and unfalsifiable
• What does Karen Horney argue about womb envy?

  It is more powerful than penis envy
• How does Freud's work on gender relate to his historical context?

  It may lack temporal validity due to patriarchy