Oedipus complex seen in:
**Question:** Oedipus complex seen in:
A. Infancy and early childhood
B. Middle childhood
C. Adolescence
D. Late adolescence and early adulthood
**Core Concept:** The Oedipus complex is a psychological theory developed by Sigmund Freud, which describes the stage in a child's development between the ages of 3 and 5 years, where the child experiences unconscious erotic feelings towards a parent of the same sex and rivalry towards the opposite-sex parent.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** The Oedipus complex is specifically described as occurring during the **Infancy and early childhood** stage, which falls between the ages of 3 and 5 years. This stage sees the child developing unconscious erotic feelings towards the parent of the same sex and rivalry towards the opposite-sex parent. This complex serves as an essential part of Freud's psychosexual stage theory.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Middle childhood (6-12 years) is incorrect because the Oedipus complex occurs during infancy and early childhood, not middle childhood.
B. Adolescence (12-18 years) and **D. Late adolescence and early adulthood (18-25 years)** are incorrect because these stages involve the Oedipus complex's resolution, with the child overcoming these feelings and developing heterosexual attraction.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact:** Understanding the Oedipus complex and its stages (Estrerm phase, phallic stage, latency phase) is essential for medical students and clinicians to comprehend psychosexual stage theory and its influence on human development and mental health.
**Correct Answer:** C. Infancy and early childhood (3-5 years)