AQA A Level Psychology
Gender - Psychodynamic Explanation
Example 6 Mark Question
Paper Reference 7182/3
Describe the psychodynamic explanation of gender
[6 Marks]
Before reaching the phallic stage (3-6 years old), a child has no gender identity and is
describe as bisexual in the sense that they are neither rmasculine nor feminine. When
entering the phallic stage (after the oral and anal stages of psychosexual development),
boys enter the oedipus complex and girls enter the electra complex. When boys enter the
oedipus complex, they find that they have feelings for their mother. As a result, they are
fearful of their father as they think he will castrate them if he finds out. In the electra
complex, girls realise they do not have a penis. The girl becomes hostile towards her mother
as she believes the mother castrated her. The complexes are resolved when the ego
represses these emotions, allowing the child to identify with their same sex parent,
internalising their behaviours to form their superego and gain their respective gender identity.
Gender - Psychodynamic Explanation
Example 6 Mark Question
Paper Reference 7182/3
Describe the psychodynamic explanation of gender
[6 Marks]
Before reaching the phallic stage (3-6 years old), a child has no gender identity and is
describe as bisexual in the sense that they are neither rmasculine nor feminine. When
entering the phallic stage (after the oral and anal stages of psychosexual development),
boys enter the oedipus complex and girls enter the electra complex. When boys enter the
oedipus complex, they find that they have feelings for their mother. As a result, they are
fearful of their father as they think he will castrate them if he finds out. In the electra
complex, girls realise they do not have a penis. The girl becomes hostile towards her mother
as she believes the mother castrated her. The complexes are resolved when the ego
represses these emotions, allowing the child to identify with their same sex parent,
internalising their behaviours to form their superego and gain their respective gender identity.
