The phenomenon of a man falling in love with his mother is called the Oedipus complex.
Understanding the Oedipus Complex
The Oedipus complex is a psychoanalytic theory initially proposed by Sigmund Freud. It's a concept that describes a child's feelings of desire for his or her opposite-sex parent and jealousy and anger toward his or her same-sex parent. In the case of a male child, this involves a subconscious sexual attraction to his mother and a sense of rivalry with his father.
Freud's Perspective
According to Freud, during the phallic stage of psychosexual development (around ages 3 to 6), a boy experiences the Oedipus complex. Here's a breakdown:
- Desire for the Mother: The boy develops unconscious sexual desires for his mother, viewing her as the primary object of affection.
- Rivalry with the Father: The boy sees his father as a rival for his mother's attention and affection, leading to feelings of jealousy and hostility.
- Fear of Castration: A crucial aspect of the complex is the boy's fear that his father will punish him for these feelings by castrating him.
- Resolution: Ideally, the boy resolves the Oedipus complex by identifying with his father, internalizing his values, and repressing his sexual desires for his mother. This process is essential for the formation of the superego, which is the moral component of personality.
Oedipus Complex and Super-Ego
The Oedipus complex plays a vital role in the formation of the superego. As the male child identifies with the father, he adopts the father's moral standards and values, which become internalized as the superego. This internalization process helps the child to navigate social norms and develop a sense of morality.
Origin of the Term
The term "Oedipus complex" is derived from the Greek myth of Oedipus, who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother. This myth serves as a symbolic representation of the unconscious desires and conflicts that Freud believed to be present in young boys.
Table Summarizing the Oedipus Complex
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Definition | A psychoanalytic concept describing a child's feelings of desire for the opposite-sex parent. |
| Origin | Proposed by Sigmund Freud, based on the Greek myth of Oedipus. |
| Male Child's Feelings | Sexual attraction to the mother, rivalry and jealousy towards the father. |
| Resolution | Identification with the father, internalization of his values, and repression of desires for the mother. |
| Outcome | Formation of the superego and development of morality. |
