Lesson 9 Gender- Social- psychological
explanation of Gender Dysphoria
- Psychological explanati on
o A symbiotic relationship is one in which one individual fuses their identity with
another’s
o The individual comes to see themselves as the individual they fused with
o Ovesey and Person argued that extreme separation anxiety before gender identity
has been established causes a symbiotic relationship as the infant fuses their identity
with mother’s gender identity to relieve anxiety
- Evaluati on – A03
Point- Unfalsifiable concepts
Evidence- Symbiotic fusion/ relationship
Explanation- Like many of Freud’s theories and concepts the symbiotic fusion occurs as a unconscious
process to protect the infant from trauma or dealing with an extended period of anxiety.
Link- Due to the fusion occurring in the unconscious mind there is no way to prove of disprove Freud’s
explanation of gender dysphoria
Point- Lack of scientific rigour, credibility
Evidence- Due to the lack of evidence and scientific methodology supporting the explanation, it is
classed as more of a pseudo-science as opposed to crediting psychology as a science
Explanation- Stoller conducted interviews which did increase the face validity of the theory
(interviews suggested that the young boys had a more intimate and closer relationship with their
maternal figures) however, the demand characteristics may have skewed the results.
Link- This further suggests that the lack of scientific methodology limits the explanation.
Point- Incomplete theory
Evidence- Minimal research, and the existing research is androcentric, influence by beta bias
Explanation- The theory is only able to explain male to female transition and incapable of explaining
female to male transition
Link- Other psychological theories, such as the cognitive explanation, provide a more thorough
explanation of Gender dysphoria as well as attaining higher levels of scientific credibility.
- Cogniti ve explanati on
o Dual personal pathway- affected by activities in childhood and the gender schema
developed as a result
o For example – young boys playing with dolls creates a more flexible schema and
attitude to gender identity (results in more androgynous behaviour)
explanation of Gender Dysphoria
- Psychological explanati on
o A symbiotic relationship is one in which one individual fuses their identity with
another’s
o The individual comes to see themselves as the individual they fused with
o Ovesey and Person argued that extreme separation anxiety before gender identity
has been established causes a symbiotic relationship as the infant fuses their identity
with mother’s gender identity to relieve anxiety
- Evaluati on – A03
Point- Unfalsifiable concepts
Evidence- Symbiotic fusion/ relationship
Explanation- Like many of Freud’s theories and concepts the symbiotic fusion occurs as a unconscious
process to protect the infant from trauma or dealing with an extended period of anxiety.
Link- Due to the fusion occurring in the unconscious mind there is no way to prove of disprove Freud’s
explanation of gender dysphoria
Point- Lack of scientific rigour, credibility
Evidence- Due to the lack of evidence and scientific methodology supporting the explanation, it is
classed as more of a pseudo-science as opposed to crediting psychology as a science
Explanation- Stoller conducted interviews which did increase the face validity of the theory
(interviews suggested that the young boys had a more intimate and closer relationship with their
maternal figures) however, the demand characteristics may have skewed the results.
Link- This further suggests that the lack of scientific methodology limits the explanation.
Point- Incomplete theory
Evidence- Minimal research, and the existing research is androcentric, influence by beta bias
Explanation- The theory is only able to explain male to female transition and incapable of explaining
female to male transition
Link- Other psychological theories, such as the cognitive explanation, provide a more thorough
explanation of Gender dysphoria as well as attaining higher levels of scientific credibility.
- Cogniti ve explanati on
o Dual personal pathway- affected by activities in childhood and the gender schema
developed as a result
o For example – young boys playing with dolls creates a more flexible schema and
attitude to gender identity (results in more androgynous behaviour)
