A female child unconscious desire to possess father by eliminating mother

A male child unconscious desire to possess mother by eliminating father

A female child unconscious desire to possess mother by eliminating father

A male child unconscious desire to possess father by eliminating mother

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KPSC Staff Nurse - 2015

Applied Psychology

Easy

Electra complex is

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

The Electra complex describes a female child's unconscious desire to possess her father.
This complex involves feelings of rivalry and a desire to eliminate the mother to win the father's affection.
It is a key concept in Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development, specifically occurring during the phallic stage (ages 3-6).
The successful resolution of this complex involves the child identifying with the same-sex parent (the mother), which is crucial for the development of the superego and gender identity.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: This option describes the Oedipus complex, not the Electra complex. The Oedipus complex pertains to a male child's desire for his mother and rivalry with his father.
Option B: This option incorrectly identifies the object of desire. In the Electra complex, the female child desires the father, not the mother.
Option D: This option incorrectly identifies both the child's gender and the object of desire for the Electra complex. It describes a male child desiring the father, which is not the definition of the Electra complex.

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Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Psychoanalytic Theory: Electra Complex as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding these developmental stages helps nurses provide anticipatory guidance to parents who may be concerned about their child's behavior, such as a daughter showing strong preference for her father and jealousy towards her mother.
Nurses can reassure parents that this is a normal and transient phase of development and advise them to respond with patience and understanding, without shaming the child.
What if? - If a child does not successfully resolve the Electra/Oedipus complex, psychoanalytic theory suggests it could lead to fixation and personality issues in adulthood, such as problems with authority, relationships, and gender identity. A nurse might observe these unresolved conflicts manifesting in a patient's behavior.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Electra complex'.
Recall the definition of the Electra complex from psychoanalytic theory. Remember it involves a female child.
Mentally differentiate it from its male counterpart, the Oedipus complex.
Evaluate each option based on the core components: the child's gender, the object of their desire, and the parent they see as a rival.
Select the option that accurately describes a female child desiring the father and viewing the mother as a rival.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Psychoanalytic Theory: Electra Complex
Stem keywords: Electra complex
Lead-in keywords: is

Question ID

QbSBMTAMbnmCO3zYSDFwQe

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 11331-11333

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