The Electra complex and Oedipus complex are associated with which stage of development?

The Electra complex and Oedipus complex are associated with which stage of development?

• A. Latency stage
• B. Phallic stage
• C. Oral stage
• D. Anal stage

Answer: (B)

The Electra complex and Oedipus complex are significant concepts introduced by Sigmund Freud, relating to the Phallic stage of psychosexual development, which occurs approximately between the ages of three and six years. During this stage, children become aware of their bodies and experience sexual feelings towards their opposite-sex parent. The Oedipus complex, named after the Greek mythological figure, describes a boy's desire for his mother and rivalry with his father. Conversely, the Electra complex refers to a girl's feelings of competition with her mother for her father's attention and approval.

The dynamics of these complexes are crucial for understanding childhood development, as they are thought to influence personality and relationship patterns later in life. The resolution of these complexes is considered to be pivotal in moving successfully into subsequent phases of development. This is why the correct answer is linked to the Phallic stage rather than other stages, such as latency when sexual feelings are repressed, or the oral and anal stages, which focus on other aspects of physical gratification and control.