Freud speculated that young girls would panic when they discovered that they had a clitoris instead of a penis.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is a commonly cited theory from Freud's psychosexual development theory, which outlined the stages of development and possible conflicts that arise during each stage. In the phallic stage (ages 3-6), Freud believed that children become aware of their own genitals and develop a sexual attraction to the opposite-sex parent (Oedipus complex for boys and Electra complex for girls). Freud believed that girls experience penis envy, or the desire for a penis, and may feel inadequate or anxious about their own genitals. However, it should be noted that Freud's theories have been widely critiqued and are not universally accepted in the field of psychology.

Freud Speculated That Young Girls Would Panic When They Discovered