Final answer:
The psychodynamic theory, developed by Sigmund Freud, explains how early childhood experiences shape our personalities and behavior as adults. The phallic stage, which occurs between 3 and 6 years old, involves the Oedipus complex for boys. Successful resolution of this complex involves identifying with the father and developing a sense of male gender identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The psychodynamic theory, developed by Sigmund Freud, is a psychological theory that explores how early childhood experiences shape our personalities and behavior as adults. Freud believed that personality development occurs through a series of stages, including the phallic stage, which occurs between the ages of 3 and 6 years. During this stage, children become aware of their bodies and recognize the differences between boys and girls. For boys, this stage involves the Oedipus complex, where a boy desires his mother and feels rivalry towards his father. The successful resolution of the Oedipus complex involves identifying with the father and developing a sense of male gender identity. Failure to resolve this complex may result in fixation and the development of vain and overly ambitious personality traits.