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.
Analogy
Think about when you're playing a game and you want to be on the same team as your best friend, but another person (your mom) is already there. You feel like you need to compete with this person to get your best friend (your dad) on your side.
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.
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