Overview
The lecture covers Freud's famous case study of "Little Hans," focusing on the development, analysis, and interpretation of the boy's phobia of horses as evidence for the Oedipus complex.
Background and Case Details
- Little Hans was the pseudonym for Herbert Graf, whose father was acquainted with Freud.
- Hans developed a phobia of horses after witnessing a traumatic accident involving a horse.
- His father, familiar with Freud’s theories, corresponded with Freud to seek advice and report Hans’s behavior.
- Hans showed anxiety about leaving home due to his fear of encountering horses.
Freud's Analysis and Interpretation
- Freud never treated Hans directly but guided his father on questioning Hans and interpreting his fears.
- Hans's phobia was thought to symbolize a deeper fear related to his father, represented by the horses.
- Freud linked the case to the Oedipus complex, suggesting Hans feared castration by his father for desiring his mother.
Key Themes and Fantasies
- Hans expressed curiosity about genitals at an early age and experienced sibling jealousy after his sister was born.
- Hans’s fears centered specifically on horses with certain features, interpreted as representing his father.
- Hans had fantasies involving having children with his mother and receiving larger genitals from a plumber, which Freud linked to the resolution of the Oedipus complex.
Criticisms and Limitations
- The case lacked objectivity since Hans's father collected and interpreted the data, possibly influencing Hans.
- The case is limited by its lack of population validity and cannot be generalized to all children.
- Hans, as an adult, did not recall the events or therapy described in his case history.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Oedipus complex — A Freud theory where a child feels desire for the opposite-sex parent and rivalry toward the same-sex parent.
- Castration anxiety — The fear in young boys of having their genitals removed as punishment for incestuous wishes.
- Phallic stage — A psychosexual stage (ages 3-6) where children become aware of their bodies and develop feelings toward parents.
- Identification with the aggressor — A defense mechanism where a child adopts characteristics of a feared person to reduce anxiety.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Freud's "Analysis of a Phobia in a Five-Year-Old Boy" for primary source details.
- Prepare notes on criticisms of Freud’s case study method for discussion.