The view that gender development involves a competitive dynamic between sexes is most closely associated with which theory?

• A. Psychodynamic Theory
• B. Social-Cognitive Theory
• C. Information-Processing Model
• D. Biopsychology

Answer: (A)

Gender development as involving a competitive dynamic between the sexes is a hallmark of psychodynamic theory. In this view, early conflicts with the opposite-sex parent create rivalry and intense feelings that kids work through by identifying with the same-sex parent, shaping their gender identity and behavior. For boys, this is often described through the Oedipus complex, and for girls through the Electra complex, with resolution guiding identification with the same-sex parent. Other theories focus on different mechanisms—Social-Cognitive Theory emphasizes learning from observed models and rewards or punishments, Information-Processing Model centers on how information is encoded and used, and Biopsychology looks at biological bases of behavior—none of which hinge on a competitive dynamic between the sexes in the same way.