‘Oedipus complex’ is the characteristic feature of:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 1

The correct answer is Option (1) → Phallic stage

Option (1) 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 (2) Anal stage — Incorrect. At ages two and three the conflict is over toilet training, between babyish pleasure and the demand for controlled behaviour.

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) Oral stage — Incorrect. In infancy pleasure is centred on the mouth: feeding, thumb sucking, biting and babbling.

Note 1: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 07-06-2026 (Slot 2).

Note 2: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2023 on 08-06-2023 (Slot 1), and in CUET (UG) 2025 on 21-05-2025 (Slot 1) and 28-05-2025 (Slot 1).

NCERT (2025-26): “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.…”

“Anal Stage : … It is found that around ages two and three the child learns to respond to some of the demands of the society. One of the principal demands made by parents is that the child learns to control the bodily functions of urination and defecation.…”

“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).…”

“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.…”