Psychodynamic Approach

What are the five psychosexual stages in order?

Can you design a way of remembering them (eg. Mnemonic / story)

What are the key underlying concepts in the psychodynamic approach?

Lesson ObjectivesBy the end of the lesson you …

– Describe how the psychodynamic approach explains gender development.

– Outline the role of the Oedipus complex, Electra complex and identification in gender development

The Approach

• The psychodynamic approach emphasises the importance of change and development in behaviours. It believes that this development is mainly driven by unconscious forces.

• We will look at how Psychoanalytic theory (Freud) can be used to explain gender development.

Stage Erogenous Zone(s) & Gratifying Activities

Interaction with Environment

Consequences of Fixation

Age:

Age:

Age:

Age:

Age:

Erogenous Zone in Focus: Mouth Gender Identity: Flexible & no clear differences for boy or girls. No sense of being masculine or feminine.

Gratifying Activities: Feeding & mouth movements Interaction with the Environment: mother's breast :food ,drink,

& love/hate. id demands immediate gratification, responsive nurturing is key. Both insufficient and forceful feeding can result in fixation in this

stage. Regression

Oral Stage (Age 0 – 18mths)

Smoking Constant chewing on gum, pens, pencils, etc. Nail biting Overeating & Eating disorders Drinking Sarcasm ("the biting personality") Verbal hostility Narcissism Passivity

Symptoms of Oral Fixation

Anal Stage 1-3 Erogenous Zone in Focus: Anus Gender Identity: Flexible & no clear differences for boy or girls. No sense of being masculine or feminine.

Gratifying Activities: Bowel movement and withholding of poo. Interaction with the Environment: Toilet training: taught when,

where, and how excretion is deemed appropriate by society. Notice the pleasure and displeasure associated with bowel

movements. Gift/Defy Discover ability to control bowel movements. Power over their parents.

Anal Fixation• Anal-Expulsive Personality: Parents are too lenient:

the child will derive pleasure and success from the expulsion.

• Excessively sloppy, disorganized, reckless, careless, and defiant.

• Anal-Retentive Personality: Receives excessive pressure and punishment - will experience anxiety over bowl movements = pleasure to withhold.

• Obsessively clean and orderly, and intolerant of those who aren't. Very careful, stingy, withholding, obstinate, meticulous, conforming and passive-aggressive.

• Tight-Arse!

Stage 3 : The PHALLIC stageAge 3 – 5/6

Erogenous Zone in Focus: Genitals Gender Identity Starts!: Pay attention to others’ genitals

and notice physical differences between males and females.

The main force behind children’s gender development is their relationships with their parents. The mother is the first love object for both boys and girls, which for boys turns to lust at age 3.

Gender Development: The Oedipus conflict (boys) The Electra conflict (girls)

The Oedipus complex

• All young boys experience this conflict.• Develop a passionate desire for their mother.

• Fear: castration• Conflict: between lust for mother & fear of father.

• All young girls experience this conflict.• Develop a passionate desire for their father.

• Fear: losing mother’s love.• Conflict: between lust for father & fear of losing mother's love.

The Electra complex

The Oedipus complex

• All young boys experience this conflict.• Develop a passionate desire for their mother.

• Fear: castration• Conflict: between lust for mother & fear of father.

• All young girls experience this conflict.• Develop a passionate desire for their father.

• Fear: losing mother’s love.• Conflict: between lust for father & fear of losing mother's love.

The Electra complex

Latency (Age 5/6 - puberty)

• Erogenous Zone in Focus: None • Interactions with the Environment: Sexual

feelings are suppressed = focus their energy on other aspects of life: learning, adjusting to the social environment outside of home, absorbing the culture, forming beliefs and values, developing same-sex friendships, engaging in sports, etc.

• Lasts five to six years, until puberty: capable of reproduction = sexuality is re-awakened.

Genital Stage (puberty +)

• Erogenous Zone in Focus: Genitals • Gratifying Activities: Masturbation and

heterosexual relationships • Interaction with the Environment:

Renewed sexual interest and desire, and the pursuit of relationships.

• Fixations: No fixation. Damaged already done E.g. attractions to the opposite sex can be a source of anxiety at this stage if the person has not successfully resolved the Oedipal (or Electra) conflict at the phallic stage.

 

• You have children of the following ages. Using your knowledge of the psychosexual states identify the behaviour you would expect to see them exhibit: – 16 month old – 3 year old– 5 year old– 14 year old

– Describe how the psychodynamic approach explains gender development.

– Outline the role of the Oedipus complex, Electra complex and identification in gender development

Age Stage Physical Focus

18 months – 3 years Phallic

Period of relative calm.

6 years – puberty

LatencyAnus and

expulsion of faeces.

0 – 18 months

OralGenital area and

sexual desire returns

3 years – 6 years Genital Penis.

Puberty – adulthood Anal

Mouth, lips, tongue.

Lesson ObjectivesBy the end of the lesson you …

– Describe (APRC) the study of Little Hans.

Age Stage Physical Focus

18 months – 3 years Phallic

Period of relative calm.

6 years – puberty

LatencyAnus and

expulsion of faeces.

0 – 18 months

OralGenital area and

sexual desire returns

3 years – 6 years Genital Penis.

Puberty – adulthood Anal

Mouth, lips, tongue.

Journal Activity

– Describe (APRC) the study of Little Hans.

www.jamiesflipped.co.uk@jamiesflipped