Emily is 5 years old. Her mother has noticed she is acting in a more feminine way. Use Freuds's theory to explain how Emily developed her gender behaviour. (5 marks - Edexcel)

Freud's theory suggests the Electra Complex, which occurs during the Phallic Stage, is when girls discover they have alack of penis. During this time, the Emily's natural love for her father will unconsciously become erotic and envious and she will display penis envy. Emily will then begin to blame her mother as she thinks she is responsible for her castration. Later Emily will identify with her mother 'becoming her' and 'adopting' her feminine behaviour thus starting to learn feminine gender behaviour through becoming more like her mother in attempt to possess her father vicariously. In resolving her Electra Complex she has learnt more feminine behaviour due to imitating her mother's feminine behaviour.