In this developmental stage, children are attracted towards the parent of opposite sex, eg. daughter is attached to father:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
The correct answer, Oedipus complex, is a central concept within Sigmund Freud’s theory of psychosexual development, specifically occurring during the Phallic stage, typically spanning the ages of three to six years. The core dynamic described in the question—a child's attraction towards the parent of the opposite sex (e.g., a daughter attached to her father)—is precisely what this complex addresses. Freud named the complex for boys the "Oedipus complex," derived from the Greek myth of King Oedipus. For girls, the parallel phenomenon is referred to as the "Electra complex." In both cases, the child develops unconscious feelings of love and possessiveness for the opposite-sex parent and simultaneously experiences feelings of jealousy and rivalry toward the same-sex parent, whom they perceive as an obstacle to their desire. The successful resolution of this complex is considered crucial for healthy psychosexual development, as the child eventually represses these conflicting emotions and identifies with the same-sex parent, leading to the internalization of gender roles and the development of the superego, thus establishing a foundation for mature identity.

The incorrect option is 1:
The Narcissistic stage is not a recognized stage in the context of the parent-attraction phenomenon described. In Freudian theory, narcissism, or primary narcissism, is a concept primarily associated with the earliest stage of life (the Oral stage in infancy), where the infant's libido is invested entirely in the self. It describes a state of self-love where the child is preoccupied with its own body and needs, lacking the mental capacity for true object relationships, including a complex emotional attachment to a parent. It is characterized by an absence of differentiation between the self and others, not a differentiated, opposite-sex parental attraction. Therefore, it fundamentally precedes the developmental stage where the Oedipus complex emerges, making it an incorrect fit for the scenario described.

The incorrect option is 3:
Homosexual stage is an inappropriate term and does not correspond to the developmental dynamic described in the question. "Homosexual" refers to a sexual orientation characterized by attraction to individuals of the same sex, which is a concept related to mature adult sexuality, not a universal, temporary psychosexual phase centered on parental attachment. While some developmental theories might discuss stages of intense same-sex *peer* bonding (like the "chumships" in Sullivan's theory), this is distinct from the Freudian complex that involves a specific, intense emotional and possessive attachment to a parent. Furthermore, the question specifically refers to attraction to the *opposite-sex* parent, which directly contradicts the definition of a homosexual attraction.

The incorrect option is 4:
Heterosexual stage is incorrect because, in developmental psychology, this term is too broad and refers to mature, adult sexual attraction between individuals of opposite sexes, typically peers or partners, not parents and children. While the successful resolution of the Oedipus/Electra complex eventually leads to the capacity for adult heterosexuality, the "Heterosexual stage" itself is not the name of the specific developmental phase described by Freud. This mature attraction usually manifests much later, in adolescence or adulthood, following the latency period, and involves attraction outside the family unit. The question is specifically asking for the name of a distinct, temporary psychosexual conflict within early childhood that centers on family relationships, which is precisely the Oedipus/Electra complex.