.jpg)
The Oedipus complex is a term used in psychoanalytic theory by Sigmund Freud to describe a child's feelings of desire for their opposite-sex parent and jealousy towards their same-sex parent. It occurs during the Phallic stage of development (ages 3-6) when the source of libido is concentrated in the erogenous zones of the child's body. The complex is named after Oedipus Rex, a character in Sophocles' tragic play who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother.
Freud believed that as children grow physically, certain parts of their bodies become sources of pleasure, frustration, or both. Each stage represents the fixation of libido on a different part of the body. The Oedipus complex is one such stage where children develop sexual desires towards their opposite-sex parent and view their same-sex parent as a rival for affection.
The Oedipus complex applies to both boys and girls, although Freud initially focused on boys. For girls, it is called the Electra complex, which involves a girl's desire for her father and rivalry with her mother. While some critics have questioned the validity of the Oedipus complex, it remains an influential concept in psychoanalytic theory and has been used to explain various aspects of human behavior and relationships.
How does the oedipus complex develop?
The Oedipus complex is a theory of Sigmund Freud that occurs during the Phallic stage of psychosexual development (ages 3-6) in which the source of libido (life force) is concentrated in the erogenous zones of the child's body. The Oedipal complex is a term used by Freud in his theory of psychosexual stages of development, and it is the generic term for both Oedipus and Electra complexes. According to Freud, a boy develops an unconscious infatuation towards his mother and simultaneously fears his father to be a rival. The child desires to possess their opposite-sex parent and sees their same-sex parent as a rival for their affection.
The Oedipus complex develops when children become aware of anatomical differences between males and females. Boys develop sexual attraction towards their mothers, while girls develop sexual attraction towards their fathers. However, girls do not experience an Electra complex because they do not have a penis that they fear losing. Instead, girls experience penis envy - they desire to have a penis like boys.
The resolution of the Oedipus complex occurs when boys identify with their fathers and adopt masculine gender roles. They repress their sexual feelings towards their mothers and transfer them onto other women later in life. Girls resolve the Electra complex by identifying with their mothers and adopting feminine gender roles. They repress their sexual feelings towards their fathers and transfer them onto other men later in life.
The phallic stage of psychosexual development
The phallic stage is the third stage of psychosexual development according to Sigmund Freud's theory. It spans from ages three to six years old. During this stage, the child's libido (desire) becomes focused on their genitals. The child becomes aware of their gender identity and develops a sexual attraction towards the parent of the opposite sex. This is known as the Oedipus complex for boys and Electra complex for girls.
The resolution of conflicts during each psychosexual stage requires the expenditure of sexual energy. The more energy that is expended at a particular stage, the more important characteristics of that stage remain with the individual as they mature psychologically.
In summary, the phallic stage is a period in psychosexual development where children become aware of their gender identity and develop a sexual attraction towards their parent of the opposite sex.
Conclusion
The Oedipus complex is a theory by Sigmund Freud that occurs during the Phallic stage of development (ages 3-6). It involves a child's desire for their opposite-sex parent and jealousy towards their same-sex parent. Boys experience the Oedipus complex and girls experience the Electra complex. During this stage, children become aware of gender differences and develop sexual attraction towards their opposite-sex parent. The resolution occurs when children adopt gender roles and identify with their same-sex parent. The phallic stage is important in psychosexual development, and the Oedipus complex is an influential concept in psychoanalytic theory.