Chapter 2    Freud: Psychoanalysis45
fei75766_ch02_019-071.indd 45  02/19/20 08:59 AMbirth toababy. Healsobelieved thatintheunconscious theconcepts ofpenis and
baby—because botharereferred toasa“little one”—mean thesame thing. Also, feces, 
because ofitselongated shape andbecause ithasbeenremoved from thebody, is
indistinguishable from baby, andallthree concepts—penis, baby, andfeces—are repre -
sented bythesame symbols indreams.
During theoralandanalstages, nobasic distinction exists between male and
female psychosexual growth. Children ofeither gender candevelop anactive orapas-
siveorientation. Theactive attitude often ischaracterized bywhat Freud (1933/1964) 
considered themasculine qualities ofdominance andsadism, whereas thepassive 
orientation isusually marked bythefeminine qualities ofvoyeurism andmasochism. 
However, either orientation, oranycombination ofthetwo,candevelop inbothgirls
andboys.
Phallic Phase
Atapproximately 3or4years ofage,children begin athird stage ofinfantile 
development, thephallic phase, atimewhen thegenital areabecomes theleading 
erogenous zone. Thisstage ismarked forthefirsttimebyadichotomy between male 
andfemale development, adistinction thatFreud (1925/1961) believed tobedue
totheanatomical differences between thesexes. Freud (1924/1961, p.178)took
Napoleon’s remark that“History isdestiny” andchanged itto“Anatomy isdestiny.” 
Thisdictum underlies Freud’s belief thatphysical differences between males and
females account formany important psychological differences.
Masturbation, which originated during theoralstage, nowenters asecond, 
more crucial phase. During thephallic stage, masturbation isnearly universal, 
butbecause parents generally suppress these activities, children usually repress 
their conscious desire tomasturbate bythetimetheir phallic period comes toan
end.Justaschildren’s earlier experiences withweaning andtoilet training helped 
shape thefoundation oftheir psychosexual development, sotoodoestheir expe-
rience withthesuppression of masturbation (Freud, 1933/1964). However, their 
experience withtheOedipus complex plays anevenmore crucial roleintheir per-
sonality development.
Male Oedipus Complex  Freud (1925/1961) believed thatpreceding thephallic stage 
aninfant boyforms anidentification withhisfather; thatis,hewants tobehisfather. 
Later hedevelops asexual desire forhismother; thatis,hewants tohavehismother. 
These twowishes donotappear mutually contradictory totheunderdeveloped ego,
sotheyareabletoexistsidebysideforatime. When theboyfinally recognizes their
inconsistency, hegives uphisidentification withhisfather andretains thestronger 
feeling—the desire tohavehismother. Theboynowseeshisfather asarivalforhis
mother’s love.Hedesires todoaway withhisfather andpossess hismother ina
sexual relationship. Thiscondition ofrivalry toward thefather andincestuous feelings 
toward themother isknown asthesimple male Oedipus complex. Thetermistaken 
from theGreek tragedy bySophocles inwhich Oedipus, King ofThebes, isdestined 
byfatetokillhisfather andmarry hismother.
Freud (1923/1961a) believed thatthebisexual nature ofthechild (ofeither 
gender) complicates thispicture. Before ayoung boyenters theOedipus stage, Final PDF to printer