Social Learning Thoery

• 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

  4. Unconscious desires for opposite-sex parent

  5. Developing sense of gender identity
• Gender development occurs during the phallic stage of psychosexual development
• The phallic stage occurs between the ages of 3 and 6
• Social learning theory


  Children learn gender roles through reinforcement and punishment
• Learning gender roles


  • Observation and imitation of same-sex adults
  • Rewarded for conforming to gender norms
  • Punished for deviating from gender norms
• Critics of psychodynamic theory argue that it 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• Critics argue that psychodynamic theory is based on outdated gender stereotypes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