Sigmund Freud began as an Austrian neurologist, now known as the father of psychoanalysis.
Freud entered the University of Vienna at age 17. He had planned to study law, but joined the medical faculty at the university, where his studies included philosophy, physiology, and zoology.
The Oedipus complex is Sigmund's theory of the unconscious desire within children to sexually possess their mother and murder their father.
Sigmund Freud's theory of the Oedipus complex is taken from the Greek 5th century B.C. mythological character, Oedipus.
Although the story of Oedipus has been changed countless times throughout history, according to the myth, Oedipus unknowingly kills his father and impregnates his mother.
Freud believes the Oedipus Complex occurs during the ages between three and six.
During this age, Freud describes that a child develops a sexual identity for themselves as either a male or a female which leads them to recognize the physical differences between men and women.
Freud believed, if this Complex went unresolved and a child is unable to move on to the further stages of psycho-sexual development, a boy would then become aggressive and a girl would become either over sexual or submissive to men.
If the child was unable to progress to the next stage of psycho-sexual development, Freud describes that it is possible for the child to become fixated on their mothers and fathers long into adulthood, which could then result in other psychological problems in the future.
"Sigmund Ferud (1856-1939)" Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stephen P. Thornton.
