ABSTRACT
In contrast to Freud’s concept that the Oedipus complex is central to neuroses, this chapter offers a self-psychological perspective on the Oedipus complex and on the origins of Hans’ horse phobia. It asserts that the phobia erupted because of the child’s separation anxiety, an increasingly insecure attachment to his mother and not because of hostile and hateful feelings about his father and castration anxieties. Self psychology describes oedipal phenomenons – joyful and intense rivalry and competition, interest in sexual matters – as healthy and needed experiences for developing a strong masculinity and femininity with pride and pleasure.
