What is the Oedipus Complex associated with?

Prepare for the National Medical Admissions Test. Enhance your skills with practice quizzes and interactive learning tools. Get equipped for your exam day with comprehensive study support!

The Oedipus Complex is primarily associated with the boy's desire for his mother. This concept, introduced by Sigmund Freud, suggests that during a certain stage of psychosexual development, typically around ages 3 to 6, a boy experiences an unconscious desire for his mother and a sense of rivalry with his father, whom he views as a competing figure for his mother's affection.

The essence of this complex illustrates the child's internal conflict and emotional struggles during early childhood as he navigates feelings of love and jealousy. This dynamic is crucial to Freud's theory of psychoanalysis and deals with the development of the child's sense of identity and gender roles.

In context, while there are other dynamics at play in childhood development, such as a girl's desire for her father or the notion of repressed thoughts, they do not specifically encapsulate the Oedipus Complex as it is traditionally defined. Therefore, the focus on a boy's desire for his mother accurately describes the fundamental aspects of this psychological theory.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy