What is Oedipus Complex and Electra Complex?

Sigmund Freud, who is called a pervert by some and the father of psychology by others, is one of the most controversial characters in the history of psychology. But perhaps no theory of the Oedipus Complex It was not as controversial and did not garner a reaction. As with Freud’s other theories so far Although not verified or disproved, it is still very popular.

The theory is criticized for being based on the Little Hans Case, which we will talk about below; because there is no concrete evidence other than this example. In the criticisms, it is stated that the case of Little Hans can be interpreted with different theories (for example Bowlby’s Attachment Theory), and that Freud’s excessive emphasis on sexual instincts It is stated (especially by Erikson) that he did it.

So what is this Oedipus Complex?

This complex is named after the famous play of Sophocles. from Oedipus the King gets. King Oedipus kills his father to be with his mother, and is cursed for what he did.

Freud’s complex phallic stage of development He states that it emerges between the ages of 3 and 6, and claims that in this period, the source of libido (vital power/sexual instinct) is concentrated in the erogenous parts of his child’s body. The following is also emphasized in the continuation of the theory: In this period, the girl is attracted to her father and becomes jealous of her father from her mother. The boy, on the other hand, is attracted to his mother and is jealous of his mother from his father. one with his father rivalry He goes inside, his goal is to have his mother.

What are the differences between Oedipus Complex and Electra Complex?

The Oedipus Complex is a more general concept and refers to the interest of children of both sexes towards their opposite-sex parents. Electra Complex It expresses the daughter’s interest in the father. The Elektra Complex is used to express the daughter’s jealousy of her mother and father, the desire to replace the mother, and being overly fond of the father.

What are the symptoms of Oedipus Complex?

Symptoms of this unproven complex are suggested to be:

• The child in this age group begins to compare himself with his father and to create a relationship between himself and him. common points tries to find it.
• his love for his mother, He begins to express himself at every opportunity he gets.
• to his father your hatred (Freud says that children can suppress it for fear of castration).
• Like shaving, walking like his father, using the words he used behavior that imitates his father shows.
• Due to the overwhelming desire to sleep with his mother to kick his father out of bed running behaviors.
• He will marry his mother can tell.
• Allowing his parents to “kiss, hug, use words of love” for any sensual contact in front of him. an overreaction can show, try to separate; It may even go as far as crying.

How is Oedipus Complex treated?

Freud supported this theory with the case of “Little Hans”. in this case little Hans, He is a 5-year-old boy with a phobia of horses. By correspondence with Little Hans’ father, Freud tries to find the cause of the phobia and follow a certain treatment process. In the course of his correspondence, Freud thinks that the source of the problem is “the fear that the child will be castrated by his father (castration, sterilization) because of his desire to possess his mother”. He continues this thought as follows: the horse is the symbol of the father. Hans’ fear of being bitten (castrated) by a horse (father) is a response to his desire to possess his mother. is punishment. Freud published a summary of the treatment he applied to this case in 1909 with the title “Analysis of a Phobia in a Five-year-old Boy”.

The only treatment that Freud suggested was that the child self-identified as the same sex. identification with parent. Consciousness (ego) and moral values ​​of society (superego) play an important role in suppressing this complex. But this complex manifests itself in adulthood. feelings of guilt Tables are also available.

Criticisms of the theory:

• Freud just made this theory The case of Little Hans This case can also be explained using different theories (eg Bowlby’s Attachment Theory).
• Other psychodynamic theorists such as Erikson (1950) argue that Freud’s instincts, particularly your sexual instinct They believed that he exaggerated its influence on personality development. Erikson alternatively, psychosocial development theory has created.
• Another important criticism is that Freud reported single child patient Hans’ father (a supporter of Freud’s theories) did most of Little Hans’s psychoanalysis, and Freud was highly biased, seeing that Hans endorsed his Oedipal theory.
• In general, the case is scientifically validity and reliability violates its principles. This is another criticism of the theory.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4