The Oedipus complex is widely considered the centerpiece of classical psychoanalytic theory. It was hypothesized as a universal constellation arising between age 3 and 6 years, at the height of the genital phase of psychosexual development. Its resolution involved the child’s move from dyadic to triadic relationships, the child’s identification with the same-sex parent, and the child’s superego development, among other developmental accomplishments. The Oedipus complex came to be viewed as the nuclear organizer of the psyche, fundamental to the core of personality and psychopathology. As such, the exploration and resolution of oedipal conflicts became one of the major goals of psychoanalysis.
Subsequent research and theoretical developments have questioned the existence of drives as the primary motivator of human development. The Oedipus complex has also been criticized due to its patriarchal and heteronormative assumptions. Some contemporary psychoanalytic theories have modified the Oedipus complex to better account for female development, single-parent families, and LGBTQ couples. Nonetheless, questions still arise about the universality and continued relevance of Oedipal conflicts in human development and psychoanalytic practice today.
The study group will be facilitated by JoAnn Ponder and Martha Vogel, who are teaming up again 17 years after serving together a year on the steering committee to plan the Division 39 Spring Meeting held in San Antonio, Texas in 2009. The group will be live via Zoom. It is intended for clinicians of all levels, with beginning to advanced knowledge about psychoanalytic theory. Participants will utilize readings, discussion, and case examples to review Freud’s concept of the Oedipus complex, and explore contemporary conceptions about the origins of the Oedipus complex, views about how the complex shapes development, Oedipal dynamics in alternative family structures, ideas about whether Oedipal conflicts are resolved or instead evolve over the lifespan, and Oedipal dynamics that surface in the transference. Throughout these discussions, we will ponder whether the Oedipus complex is universal and still relevant to psychoanalysis. The assigned articles will be provided to group participants.
Syllabus
Session 1 | Jan 12: Freud’s Concept of the Oedipus Complex
Reading
- Fear, R. M. (2018). Freud’s theory of the Oedipus complex. In The Oedipus complex: Solutions or resolutions? New York: Routledge, pp. 11-22.
- Auchincloss, E. L. & Samberg, E., Eds. (2012). Oedipus complex. In Psychoanalytic Terms and Concepts. American Psychoanalytic Association, Yale University Press, pp. 180-183.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the significance of the Oedipus complex in classical psychoanalytic theory.
- List 3 developmental achievements following the successful resolution of the Oedipus complex.
Session 2 | Jan 19: Biological Origins and Early Theoretical Revisions of the Oedipus Complex
Reading
- Searles, H. F. (1959). Oedipal love in the counter transference. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 40: 180-190.
- Loewald, H. W. (1979). The waning of the Oedipus complex. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 27: 751-775.
- (optional) Solms, M. (2021). A revision of Freud’s theory of the biological origin of the Oedipus complex. Psychoanalytic Quarterly, 90: 555-581.
Learning Objectives
- Describe Searle’s and Loewald’s revisions of the Oedipus complex.
- Explain Freud’s versus Solms’ views of the origins of the Oedipus complex.
Session 3 | Jan 26: The Oedipus Complex and Gender
Reading
- Balsam, R. H. (2015). Oedipus Rex: Where are we going, especially with females? Psychoanalytic Quarterly, 84: 555-588.
Learning Objectives
- Explain Freud’s differing views of the Oedipus complex for males and females.
- Describe Balsam’s nonpathological view of oedipal dynamics in females.
Session 4 | Feb 9: The Oedipus Complex and Female Development
Reading
- Kulish, N. & Holtzman, D. (2018) Twos and threes: Musical chairs in female psychic and social life. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 66: 443-472.
Learning Objectives
- Explain what is meant by “two and three” configurations in female psychic and social life.
- Give an example of how “twos and threes” might surface in the clinical process.
Session 5 | Feb 16: Dynamics and Adult Sexuality
Reading
- Kulish, N. (2011). Obstacles to Oedipal passion. Psychoanalytic Quarterly, 80: 3-32.
- Davies, J. M. (2015). From Oedipus complex to Oedipal complexity: Reconfiguring (pardon the expression) the negative Oedipus complex and the disowned erotics of disowned sexualities. Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 25: 265-283.
Learning Objectives
- Define the term “Oedipal passion.”
- Describe some ways that the Oedipus complex can influence adult sexuality.
Session 6 | Feb 23: Oedipal Dynamics in LGBTQ Couples and Single Parent Families
Reading
- Nathans, S. (2021). Oedipus for everyone: Revitalizing the model for LGBTQ couples and single parent families. Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 31: 312-328.
- McGleughlin, J. (2021). Rethinking Oedipus or not. Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 31: 329-339.
Learning Objectives
- Explain how Oedipal dynamics might manifest with gay or single parents.
- Describe McGleughlin’s criticisms of the Oedipus complex, even if reconfigured.
Session 7 | Mar 2: Transgenerational Transmission and the Oedipus Complex
Reading
- Bonaminio, V. & Di Renzo, M. (2014). “These anxieties are not mine”: Adolescence, the Oedipal configuration, and transgenerational factors. Psychoanalytic Quarterly, 83: 595-632.
- Wrottesley, C. (2017). Does Oedipus never die? The grandparental couple grapple with “Oedipus”. Couple and Family Psychoanalysis, 7: 188-207.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the transgenerational transmission of Oedipal dynamics.
- Give a clinical example that involves the transgenerational transmission of Oedipal issues.
Session 8 | Mar 9: Is the Oedipus Complex Still Relevant?
Reading
- Eagle, M. N. (2017). The Oedipus complex: Does the Oedipus complex exist? In Core concepts in classical psychoanalysis: Clinical, research evidence and conceptual critiques (psychological issues), 1st edition. New York: Routledge, pp. 94-147.
Learning Objectives
- Identify 3 major criticisms of the Oedipus complex.
- State your opinion of whether the Oedipus complex is still relevant, citing rationale from the literature.
Meet the Facilitators
JoAnn Ponder, PhD
JoAnn Ponder, PhD, is a longtime AP member who previously held a number of offices on the board, including 4 terms as president. Chief among her contributions, she suggested and planned our first ethics conference, featuring Glen Gabbard, MD speaking about sexual boundaries and ethics. The AP ethics conference has been an annual event since then. Later when the board decided to replace “ASPP” with a new moniker, it was JoAnn who suggested “Austin Psychoanalytic.” She’s a psychologist-psychoanalyst who currently has a private practice in Austin, Texas working with adults, couples, and consultees. She completed her psychoanalytic training and served on the faculty at the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies in Houston. She also completed postgraduate education/training programs in infant-parent mental health intervention, psychoanalytic child therapy, sandplay therapy, object relational family/couples therapy, psychotherapy supervision, and psychoanalytic writing. She authored book chapters and journal articles on various topics in clinical and applied psychoanalysis. Her articles are published or forthcoming in the International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies; Journal of Personality Integration; Psychoanalysis, Self and Context; Psychoanalytic Psychology; and Psychoanalytic Social Work. JoAnn has presented on various topics at local, national, and international meetings. In addition to teaching classes at a psychoanalytic institute, she facilitated study and consultation groups for local psychoanalytic organizations and within her private practice. For the past 6 years, she served as program chair for the Houston Psychoanalytic Society.
Disclosures
Division 39 is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Division 39 maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
CE Eligibility
This program, when attended in its entirety, is eligible for 1 continuing education credit per session. Austin Psychoanalytic will provide certificates of attendance to participants who attend the program in full. Austin Psychoanalytic’s continuing education programs are sponsored through Division 39’s APA-approved continuing education program. It is the responsibility of each licensee to verify that a given program meets the continuing education requirements for their specific license. Participants outside of Texas should consult their own licensing boards regarding CE eligibility.
Accessibility, Non-discrimination, and Privacy
Division 39 is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in all continuing education activities and conducts its programs in accordance with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Reasonable accommodations will be made whenever possible for participants with accessibility needs. Questions, concerns, requests for accommodations, or complaints may be directed to info@austinpsychoanalytic.org. Participants are also asked to respect the privacy and confidentiality of others throughout the program.
Financial Disclosure
There is no commercial support for this program. Neither Division 39, Austin Psychoanalytic, nor the presenter has any financial relationships or conflicts of interest that could reasonably be construed as influencing the program content.
Cancellations and Refunds
Registrants may cancel or transfer their registration to another person up to 7 days before the event from their confirmation email, by logging into their member account if applicable, or by contacting info@austinpsychoanalytic.org. No cancellations, transfers, or refunds will be permitted within 7 days of the event start time.
Grievances
Austin Psychoanalytic conducts its educational programs in accordance with the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association. Participants with a concern regarding a speaker or a Continuing Education program are asked to submit a written account of the matter to info@austinpsychoanalytic.org. Where a complaint is substantiated, Austin Psychoanalytic will determine an appropriate remedy, which may include placement in a comparable program at no additional cost, a credit toward a future program, or a partial or full refund.
