Oedipus complex

Frequency: 5.54.0 per million words

A term used in psychoanalytic theory.

Categories:

Examples (10)

  • Freud's theory of the Oedipus complex describes a child's unconscious desire for the parent of the opposite sex.
  • Some literary critics argue that Hamlet's behavior stems from an unresolved Oedipus complex.
  • In our psychology class, we spent a whole week debating the validity of the Oedipus complex.
  • Many modern psychologists question the universal applicability of the Oedipus complex.
  • The therapist suggested his relationship issues might be linked to a classic Oedipus complex.
  • He jokingly accused his friend of having an Oedipus complex for dating women who resembled his mother.
  • The concept of the Oedipus complex was a cornerstone of early psychoanalytic thought.
  • The Oedipus complex is often cited as one of Freud's most controversial theories.
  • According to the theory, successfully resolving the Oedipus complex is crucial for healthy psychosexual development.
  • The female equivalent of the Oedipus complex is sometimes referred to as the Electra complex.