According to Freud, the resolution of the Oedipus complex leads to the development of which psychic structure?

According to Freud, the resolution of the Oedipus complex leads to the development of which psychic structure?

• A. Superego
• B. Id
• C. Ego
• D. Libido

Answer: (A)

In Freud’s theory, the Oedipus (phallic) stage involves intense feelings toward the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent. The important outcome of how this tension is resolved is identification with the same-sex parent. By identifying, the child internalizes that parent’s values, prohibitions, and standards, which become the conscience and moral framework of the personality—the superego. This brings the sense of right and wrong, guilt when rules are broken, and ideals to strive toward. The other terms aren’t what this resolution creates: the ego is the part that negotiates between the id and reality, developing as the child learns to cope with the world; the id is the reservoir of primitive drives present from birth; libido is the energy driving those mental processes. But the formation central to resolving the Oedipus complex is the development of the superego through internalized parental morality.

In Freud’s theory, the Oedipus (phallic) stage involves intense feelings toward the opposite-sex parent and rivalry with the same-sex parent. The important outcome of how this tension is resolved is identification with the same-sex parent. By identifying, the child internalizes that parent’s values, prohibitions, and standards, which become the conscience and moral framework of the personality—the superego. This brings the sense of right and wrong, guilt when rules are broken, and ideals to strive toward.

The other terms aren’t what this resolution creates: the ego is the part that negotiates between the id and reality, developing as the child learns to cope with the world; the id is the reservoir of primitive drives present from birth; libido is the energy driving those mental processes. But the formation central to resolving the Oedipus complex is the development of the superego through internalized parental morality.