In which psychosexual stage does the Oedipus or Electra complex most likely occur?

The Oedipus and Electra complexes are key concepts in Freud's theory of psychosexual development, specifically occurring during the phallic stage, which typically takes place between the ages of 3 and 6 years. During this stage, children begin to identify more strongly with their same-sex parent while developing feelings for the opposite-sex parent. The Oedipus complex refers to a boy's sexual feelings toward his mother and rivalry with his father, while the Electra complex describes a girl's analogous feelings toward her father and competition with her mother.

This stage is crucial because it influences the development of the child's sexual identity and relationship with authority figures later in life. Understanding the significance of these complexes in the phallic stage helps to highlight how early familial relationships can affect psychological development. In contrast, the other stages—oral, anal, and genital—do not involve these specific dynamics of attraction and rivalry between the child and their parents.