US High School Psychology Practice Exam

According to Freud, what is the term for a boy's intense desire to replace his father and win his mother's affection?

1. Electra complex

2. Oedipus complex

3. Libido

4. Identifying complex

The correct answer is: Oedipus complex

Freud's theory of psychosexual development includes the concept of the Oedipus complex, which describes a boy's feelings of desire for his mother and rivalry with his father. Named after the character in Greek mythology who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother, this complex highlights a child's emotional and sexual desires during the phallic stage of development, typically occurring between the ages of three and six. The Oedipus complex is significant because it reflects the child's internal conflicts and the process of identification with the same-sex parent. This identification plays a crucial role in the development of the child's gender identity and moral values. The resolution of the Oedipus complex is essential for healthy psychological development, where the child moves from rivalry with the father toward identification with him, ultimately helping to establish norms and behavior aligned with societal expectations. In contrast, the other options pertain to different concepts in Freudian theory or psychology broadly. The Electra complex, for instance, is associated with a girl's analogous feelings toward her father instead of a boy's feelings towards his mother. Libido refers to sexual energy or desire in a general sense, not specifically linked to a familial context. The term "identifying complex" doesn't directly correspond to any well-defined psycho