Youngsters develop an incestuous desire for the parent of the other sex and must defend against it
Oedipus Complex: loves his mother, fears that his father will retaliate by castrating him, and resolves the conflicts through identification with his father
Electra Complex: a girl having desire with her father, seeing her mother as a rival
Castration Anxiety: son believes his father knows about his desire for his mother and fears that his father will castrate him
Penis Envy: a girl wants a penis as she desires her father
Direct sexual feelings towards others lead to sexual gratification
May have difficulty accepting their new sexuality, therefore, reexperiencing conflict towards their parents and distance themselves to defend against anxiety-producing feelings