Psychodynamic explanation of gender development, Freud's psychoanalytic theory, Oedipus complex; Electra complex; identification and internalisation.

What is Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory of Gender Development?

• Freud argued gender development occurs through unconscious conflict during childhood.
• Gender identity develops through identification with the same-sex parent.

Which Psychosexual Stage is Most Important for Gender Development?

• The Phallic Stage.
• Occurs between 3 and 6 years of age.

Why is the Phallic Stage Important for Gender Development?

• Children become aware of anatomical differences between males and females.
• Unconscious conflicts develop which influence gender identity.

What is the Oedipus Complex?

• Unconscious sexual desire for the mother.
• Experienced by boys during the phallic stage.
• Accompanied by jealousy towards the father.

Why does the Oedipus Complex Occur?

• The boy sees his father as a rival for his mother’s affection.
• This creates unconscious conflict.

What is Castration Anxiety?

• Fear that the father will punish the boy by castrating him.
• Experienced during the Oedipus complex.

How is the Oedipus Complex Resolved?

• The boy identifies with his father.
• This reduces anxiety and resolves the conflict.

What is the Electra Complex?

• Unconscious desire for the father.
• Experienced by girls during the phallic stage.
• Accompanied by jealousy towards the mother.

Why does the Electra Complex Occur?

• The girl develops penis envy.
• She blames her mother for her lack of a penis.
• This creates rivalry with her mother.

What is Penis Envy?

• Girl’s recognition that she does not possess a penis.
• Freud believed this created feelings of inferiority and jealousy.

How is the Electra Complex Resolved?

• The girl identifies with her mother.
• This reduces conflict and develops female gender identity.

What is Identification?

• Adopting the attitudes and behaviours of the same-sex parent.
• Occurs after resolution of the Oedipus or Electra complex.

Why is Identification Important in Gender Development?

• Children copy the behaviour of their same-sex parent.
• This helps develop gender identity.

What is Internalisation?

• Accepting another person’s values and beliefs as your own.
• Usually follows identification.

Why is Internalisation Important in Gender Development?

• Values and behaviours become part of the child’s personality.
• Contributes to the development of gender identity.

How does Gender Identity Develop According to Freud?

• Child experiences unconscious conflict during the phallic stage.
• Child identifies with the same-sex parent.
• Child internalises their values and behaviours.
• Gender identity develops.

What is the Difference Between Identification and Internalisation?

• Identification involves copying the same-sex parent.
• Internalisation involves adopting their values and beliefs permanently.

Who was Little Hans?

• Five-year-old boy studied by Freud.
• Used as evidence for the Oedipus complex.

Little Hans — Aim

• Investigate the cause of Hans’ fear of horses.
• Explore the Oedipus complex.

Little Hans — Procedure

• Freud analysed reports from Hans’ father.
• Hans discussed his fears, dreams and experiences.

Little Hans — Findings

• Hans developed a fear of horses.
• Freud interpreted this as displaced anxiety towards his father.

Little Hans — Conclusion

• Freud argued the findings supported the Oedipus complex.
• Suggested unconscious conflict influences development.

Psychoanalytic Explanation Evaluation — Little Hans Support

• Freud used Little Hans as evidence for the Oedipus complex.
• Supports the idea that unconscious conflict may influence gender development.

Why does Little Hans Strengthen Freud’s Theory?

• Provides case study evidence for the Oedipus complex.
• Suggests unconscious processes may influence behaviour.

Psychoanalytic Explanation Evaluation — Lack of Scientific Evidence

• Concepts such as unconscious desire and castration anxiety cannot be directly observed.
• Difficult to test scientifically.

Why does Lack of Scientific Evidence Weaken Freud’s Theory?

• Theory cannot be objectively tested or falsified.
• Reduces scientific credibility.

Psychoanalytic Explanation Evaluation — Gender Bias

• Freud suggested female development was based on penis envy.
• Implies females are psychologically inferior to males.

Why does Gender Bias Weaken Freud’s Theory?

• Reflects sexist assumptions about female development.
• May provide a distorted explanation of gender development.

Psychoanalytic Explanation Evaluation — Alternative Explanations

• Social Learning Theory and Gender Schema Theory explain gender development differently.
• Do not rely on unconscious conflict.

Why do Alternative Explanations Weaken Freud’s Theory?

• Gender development can be explained using learning and cognitive processes.
• Suggests Freud’s explanation may not be necessary.

Psychoanalytic Explanation Evaluation — Case Study Methodology

• Evidence is largely based on case studies such as Little Hans.
• Case studies provide detailed information but involve small samples.

Why does the Case Study Methodology Weaken Freud’s Theory?

• Findings may not generalise to the wider population.
• Limits the validity of Freud’s conclusions.