During the phallic stage, which pair of complexes are described for boys and girls respectively?

During the phallic stage, which pair of complexes are described for boys and girls respectively?

• A. Oedipus complex; Electra complex
• B. Electra complex; Oedipus complex
• C. Inferiority complex; Superego complex
• D. Anal Stage; Latency Stage

Answer: (A)

In the phallic stage, children begin to explore gender identity and develop intense feelings toward the opposite-sex parent, shaping how they view themselves and others. For boys, this shows up as the Oedipus complex: unconscious desire for the mother and rivalry with the father, which creates anxiety about the father’s potential punishment. The way this conflict is resolved is by the boy identifying with the father, which helps form the superego and solidifies gender role understanding. For girls, the Electra complex describes a similar pattern of attraction to the father and competition with the mother, with the notion of penis envy accompanying the tension. Resolution occurs through identification with the mother, further strengthening the superego. The other options don’t fit this stage: references to Adler’s Inferiority complex point to a different theorist and concept, while mentioning a “superego complex” isn’t standard Freud terminology; and Anal Stage and Latency Stage refer to other stages in Freud’s sequence.

In the phallic stage, children begin to explore gender identity and develop intense feelings toward the opposite-sex parent, shaping how they view themselves and others. For boys, this shows up as the Oedipus complex: unconscious desire for the mother and rivalry with the father, which creates anxiety about the father’s potential punishment. The way this conflict is resolved is by the boy identifying with the father, which helps form the superego and solidifies gender role understanding. For girls, the Electra complex describes a similar pattern of attraction to the father and competition with the mother, with the notion of penis envy accompanying the tension. Resolution occurs through identification with the mother, further strengthening the superego. The other options don’t fit this stage: references to Adler’s Inferiority complex point to a different theorist and concept, while mentioning a “superego complex” isn’t standard Freud terminology; and Anal Stage and Latency Stage refer to other stages in Freud’s sequence.