Chapter 5. Controversial Issues

Freud’s Oedipus complex—sexual fantasy or child molestation?

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Controversial Issues
5.1: Freud’s Oedipus complex—sexual fantasy or child molestation?

Many people are aware of Freud’s theory of the psychodynamic personality stages of development and are disturbed by his emphasis on sexual desires and behavior in children. Additionally, many are perplexed with his suggestion that through children’s sexual attraction toward their parent and repression of those desires, they identify with the same parent and develop a sense of morality. What many are not aware of, however, is that before Freud developed his theory of the Oedipus complex, he developed the seduction theory. The seduction theory, based on Freud’s therapeutic practice, explained that childhood “seduction” or molestation leads to various psychological difficulties (generally called “hysteria” at the time).

Masson (1984) suggested that Freud withdrew his seduction theory due to the potential negative perception of his work. Kupfersmid (1993), however, argued that Freud’s rejection of seduction theory and his adoption of the Oedipus complex was because Freud was not convinced he had sufficient evidence that real experiences with childhood molestation, typically fathers “seducing” their daughters, led to psychological difficulties later in life. Thus, Freud suggested that instead of actual seduction or molestation, these women were reporting fantasies of being seduced by their fathers, or an expression of the Electra complex in women.

Question 5.1

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Question 5.2

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