What was the basis for Freud's development of his theory of the Oedipus complex?
A) He did not believe that the stories his female patients told about having been sexually abused by their fathers and other family members were real memories.
B) He felt that we were biologically pre-wired to go through this conflict at certain ages, regardless of our surroundings or experiences.
C) He felt that women, by definition, were born neurotic, and the Oedipus complex gave value to that belief.
D) He observed that all women were unconsciously angry at their own children, and he developed the theory of the Oedipus complex as a result.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Freud developed his theory of the Oedipus complex partly because he initially interpreted the stories of sexual abuse recounted by his female patients not as real memories but as fantasies or projections of their own inner desires and conflicts. This interpretation led him to theorize about the universal psychological conflicts he believed were inherent in child development, including the Oedipal conflict.

What Was the Basis for Freud's Development of His Theory