Oedipus Complex, in psychoanalytic theory, is based on the premise of incestuous fantasy in which a child desires the parent of the opposite sex. Sigmund Freud (1921/1955), the father of psychoanalysis, held that children pass through a stage from about ages three to six in which they develop a lively curiosity about sex. The son desires his mother and wants the father dead. The daughter wants sex with the father and hates the mother. (“Electra Complex” may be used to label the girl's feelings.) Freud believed that many adult neuroses originate with the Oedipus Complex. He derived his theory from the Oedipus myth revealed in the oracles of ancient Greece.
The tragic story of Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King) has been told many times through the ages in literature and plays. According to the fifth-century bcplay by Socrates, an oracle tells King Laius and Queen Joscasta of Thebers that a son will be born to them who will kill the king and marry the queen. When the son is born, the king...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Bibliography
Adler, G. (1948). Studies in analytical psychology. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Ahlskog, G. (2001). Reclaiming Freud's seven articles of faith. The Journal of Pastoral Care. 55(2), 2131–2138.
Brothers, D., & Lewinberg, E. (1999). Contemplating the death of Oedipus. Gender & Psychoanalysis an Interdisiplinary Journal, 4(1), 497–498.
Erikson, E. (1963). Childhood and society, Forward. New York: W. W. Norton.
Freud, S. (1913/1955). Totem and taboo, SE 13 (p. 136, 157). London: Hogarth Press.
Freud, S. (1914). A history of the psycho-analytic movement, SE 14 (p. 62). London: Hogarth Press.
Freud, S. (1921/1955). Group psychology and the analysis of the ego, SE 18 (pp. 105–106). London: Hogarth Press.
Freud, S. (1923/1955). The ego and the Id, SE 19 (pp. 31–32, 173, 177–179, 244–247, 251–253). London: Hogarth Press.
Freud, S. (1927/1955). The future of an illusion, SE 21 (p. 43). London: Hogarth Press.
Jones, E. (1953). The life and work of Sigmund Freud (Vol. 1, p. 19). New York: Basic Books.
Jung, C. G. (1906). The collected works of C. G. Jung (Vol. 3, p. 4). New York: Pantheon Books.
Kohut, H. (1981). Introspection, empathy, and the semicircle of mental health. In P. H. Ornstein (Ed.), The search for the self: Selected writings of Heinz Kohut (Vol. 4, pp. 537–568). New York: International Universities Press.
Menaker, E. (1995). The freedom to inquire: Self psychological perspectives on women's issues, masochism, and the therapeutic relationship. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, 1985.
Rank, O. (1929). The trauma of birth. New York: Harcourt & Brace.
Spotnitz, H. (1985). Modern psychoanalysis of the Schizophrenic patient. New York: Human Sciences Press.
Spotnitz, H. (1990). Schizophrenia, alcoholism, and addiction (interview conducted by Dr. Jeff Landau). Let's Talk: The Relationship Newsletter, 3(2).
Tillich, P. (1956). The dynamics of faith. New York: Harper & Row.
Herik, J. Van (1983). Freud on femininity and faith (p. 48, 51). Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this entry
Cite this entry
Quackenbush, R. (2010). Oedipus Complex. In: Leeming, D.A., Madden, K., Marlan, S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-71802-6_473
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-71802-6_473
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-71801-9
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-71802-6
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science