Psychodynamic approach

• Psychodynamic theory


  Suggests that gender development is influenced by unconscious processes and early childhood experiences
• Gender development process


  1. Identification with same-sex parents or caregivers

  2. Oedipus complex for boys

  3. Electra complex for girls
• Oedipus complex


  Unconscious desires for the opposite-sex parent in boys
• Electra complex


  Unconscious desires for the opposite-sex parent in girls
• Children develop a sense of gender identity by identifying with the same-sex parent
• The process occurs during the phallic stage of psychosexual development
• Between the ages of 3 and 6


  Phallic stage age range
• Gender roles


  Learned through reinforcement and punishment
• Social learning theory


  Children learn appropriate behaviour for their gender through observation and imitation of same-sex adults
• Children are rewarded for conforming to gender norms and punished for deviating from them
• Critics argue that psychodynamic theory places too much emphasis on early childhood experiences
• Critics argue that psychodynamic theory ignores the role of social and cultural factors in gender development
• Critics argue that psychodynamic theory is based on outdated gender stereotypes
• Critics argue that psychodynamic theory does not account for the diversity of gender identities and expressions
• It is important to consider multiple perspectives and factors when analysing gender identity and expression