Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
In Freud's psychoanalytic theory, the term "father" refers to the male parental figure who typically represents authority and plays a significant role in a child's development.
This is when a young boy experiences unconscious sexual feelings toward his mother and feels rivalry with his father.
Paternal Figure: Refers to any male caregiver or role model that provides guidance, protection, and support during a child's upbringing.
Authoritarian Parenting: A parenting style characterized by strict rules, high expectations, and little flexibility, where parents act as authoritative figures.