Electra complex

The Electra complex is a psychoanalytic term describing the Oedipus complex in females. Coined by Carl Jung, it refers to a girl's attachment to her father and concurrent dislike for her mother. This concept, introduced by Sigmund Freud, is considered a stage in normal psychological development, typically occurring between the ages of three and five.123

Freud believed the Oedipus complex, which involves a desire for the parent of the opposite sex and rivalry with the parent of the same sex, is present in both boys and girls. He proposed that girls experience "penis envy," resenting their mothers for not having a penis. Successfully navigating this stage involves identifying with the same-sex parent and repressing sexual instincts. The resolution of the Oedipus or Electra complex is seen as crucial for the development of the superego and conscience.324