Electra Complex

Definition

The Electra complex is a term from Freudian psychology referring to a girl's psychosexual competition with her mother for possession of her father.

Related terms

Penis Envy: As mentioned earlier, this refers to the envy felt by girls during psychosexual development upon realizing they do not have penises.

Identification:

In this context, it refers to the process where the girl identifies with her mother in an attempt to possess her father vicariously.

Psychosexual Development: This term again refers back to Freud’s stages of sexual development which includes the phallic stage where both Oedipus and Electra complexes occur.