It's called the Oedipus complex.
Understanding the Oedipus Complex
The Oedipus complex is a term originating from the work of Sigmund Freud. It describes a stage of psychosexual development where a young boy develops unconscious feelings of desire for his mother and experiences feelings of rivalry and fear towards his father.
Key Aspects of the Oedipus Complex (According to Freud):
- Unconscious Infatuation: The boy has an unconscious sexual attraction to his mother.
- Rivalry with Father: The boy perceives his father as a rival for his mother's affection, leading to feelings of jealousy and fear.
- Named after Oedipus: The term is named after the Greek mythological figure Oedipus, who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother.
Example
Imagine a young boy who is very attached to his mother and often expresses a desire to marry her when he grows up. He might also exhibit jealousy or resentment towards his father when his father and mother display affection for each other. According to Freudian theory, this could be an indication of the Oedipus complex in action at an unconscious level.
