Inaccurate Representation of the Electra Complex in Psychology Textbooks

Abstract

In their discussion of Freud's theory, authors of introductory psychology, developmental psychology, and personality textbooks often refer to the female version of the Oedipus complex as the Electra complex. However, it was actually Carl Jung who coined this term, which was later rejected by Freud and even ignored by Jung himself. A survey of a sample of recent psychology textbooks reveals that a substantial number of authors attribute the Electra complex term to Freud. Teachers of psychology would do well to correct this common distortion for students.