Behaviourism

Biological Psychology

Psychodynamic Theory

Genes

Not relevant

XX for females and XY for males; parents pass on certain genetic characteristics

Inherited tendency to Oedipus Complex

Neurotransmitters and hormones

Not relevant

Critical: if hormones are not produced or reacted to, gender development can become abnormal

Not relevant

Environment

Completely determines behaviour via reinforcement and role models

External environment - eg: abuse or neglect can affect

Need parents to model in Phallic Stage

Sex assignment

Gender behaviour develops from more than sex assignment - sex and gender are distinct

Sex assignment is primary factor

Gender development comes from more than sex assignment

Social Norms

Social norms reinforced - also copying parental behaviour will lead to conformity to social norms

Not relevant

Boy identifies with father, girl with mother and take on their norms and values

Identification

Following of role models - primarily parents in the early years

Not relevant

Identification with same sex parent as resolution of Oedipal conflicts

Scientific studies

Laboratory studies on conditioning and reinforcement

Laboratory studies  - scanning and animal studies - reductionist

Little evidence - what there is is mostly qualitative

Animal studies

Important when looking at reinforcement - less important for social learning

Used to draw conclusions about humans

Not relevant

Case studies

Sometimes when looking at specific instances of modelling

Studies of abnormal development

Mainly based on case studies

Timing of gender identity

Develops in early years, according to rewards/punishments and role models offered

‘Genderisation’ takes place during foetal development and is fixed prior to birth

‘Genderisation’ takes place during the Phallic Stage and is complete by resolution of the stage