ELECTRA COMPLEX Meaning and
Definition
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The Electra Complex is a psychological term coined by psychoanalyst Carl Jung, which describes a phase in a girl's psychosexual development where she experiences feelings of love and attachment to her father, and rivalry or competition with her mother. This concept is derived from Greek mythology, specifically the character Electra who plotted against her mother Clytemnestra to avenge her father Agamemnon's death.
The Electra Complex is considered to be the female equivalent of the Oedipus Complex, proposed by Sigmund Freud. It occurs during the phallic stage of psychosexual development, typically between the ages of three to six years. According to psychoanalytic theory, the Electra Complex arises when the young girl realizes that she lacks a penis, which leads to a sense of castration anxiety. As a result, she redirects her desire for the father by identifying with her mother, ultimately seeking to possess someone who possesses masculine qualities.
The complex encompasses various emotions and conflicts, such as jealousy, fascination, and resentment towards the mother, along with intense feelings of love and adoration for the father. This complex may also involve a desire to usurp the mother's place and gain her father's exclusive affection. If unresolved, it can significantly impact a girl's future relationships and understanding of gender dynamics.
It is important to note that the Electra Complex is a theoretical construct and may not be universally experienced by all women. Furthermore, this concept has been subject to criticism for its emphasis on heterosexual dynamics and the assumption of gender normativity.
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Father complex, a complex of hysterical symptoms thought to be due to the suppressed sexual love of a young woman for her own father; opposite of Oedipus complex.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ELECTRA COMPLEX
- wlectra complex
- slectra complex
- dlectra complex
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- 4lectra complex
- 3lectra complex
- ekectra complex
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- elextra complex
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- eleftra complex
- eledtra complex
Etymology of ELECTRA COMPLEX
The term "Electra Complex" is derived from Greek mythology. It is named after Electra, the daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra, whose story is recounted in various works, most notably in the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.
In the Greek myth, Agamemnon sacrifices his daughter Iphigenia to appease the gods before setting sail to Troy. This event leads to a bitter conflict between Clytemnestra and Agamemnon upon his return. Electra, driven by a desire for revenge against her mother for the murder of her father, plays a significant role in the tragic events that unfold.
The Austrian psychoanalyst Carl Jung first coined the term "Electra Complex" in the early 20th century.
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