What is the Electra complex in Freudian theory?

The Electra complex is indeed described in Freudian theory as the female counterpart to the Oedipus complex. This concept is named after the Greek mythological figure Electra, who plotted the murder of her mother. In Freudian terms, the Electra complex refers to a girl's psychosexual competition with her mother for her father's affection during the phallic stage of development, usually between the ages of three to six.

This complex encompasses feelings of desire towards the father and jealousy towards the mother, similar to how the Oedipus complex describes a boy's feelings towards his mother and rivalry with his father. Freud proposed that navigating this complex is crucial for developing a female's identity and understanding her role in relation to the family and society.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of the Electra complex as described by Freud. The psychological defense mechanism against fear, stages of moral development in children, and cognitive dissonance are distinct concepts within psychology that do not relate directly to this specific aspect of Freudian sexual development theory.