Oedipus Complex is a phenomenon that usually takes place in which stage of Freud’s psychosexual stages of development ?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Phallic Stage
Option (1) Oral Stage — Incorrect. In infancy pleasure is centred on the mouth: feeding, thumb sucking, biting and babbling.
Option (2) Phallic Stage — Correct. Around ages four and five the child becomes aware of the differences between the sexes, and the boy experiences the Oedipus complex: love for the mother, hostility towards the father and fear of punishment by him. It is named after the Greek king Oedipus, who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother. Its resolution, by modelling himself on his father, is the major achievement of this stage.
Option (3) Latency Stage — Incorrect. From about seven years until puberty sexual urges are relatively inactive; energy goes into social and achievement-related activities.
Option (4) Genital Stage — Incorrect. In this last stage the person attains maturity in psychosexual development and learns to deal with members of the opposite sex in a socially and sexually mature way.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2025 on 21-05-2025 (Slot 1), and in CUET (UG) 2026 on 21-05-2026 (Slot 1) and 07-06-2026 (Slot 2).
NCERT (2025-26): “Phallic Stage : … This stage focuses on the genitals. At around ages four and five children begin to realise the differences between males and females. They become aware of sexuality and the sexual relationship between their parents. During this stage, the male child experiences the Oedipus Complex, which involves love for the mother, hostility towards the father, and the consequent fear of punishment or castration by the father (Oedipus was a Greek king who unknowingly killed his father and then married his mother).…” “Oral Stage : … A newborn’s instincts are focused on the mouth. This is the infant’s primary pleasure seeking centre. It is through the mouth that the baby obtains food that reduces hunger. The infant achieves oral gratification through feeding, thumb sucking, biting and babbling.…” “Latency Stage : … This stage lasts from about seven years until puberty. During this period, the child continues to grow physically, but sexual urges are relatively inactive.…” “Genital Stage : … During this stage, the person attains maturity in psychosexual development. The sexuality, fears and repressed feelings of earlier stages are once again exhibited. People learn to deal with members of the opposite sex in a socially and sexually mature way.…” |