Freud

Aim: To investigate the causes of a phobia of horses in a 5 Year Old boy. Test Freud's theory of infanitle sexuality and the Oedipus Complex

Participant:

• One child Little Hans
• aged 3 at start of study
• Aged 5 when phobia started

Method:

• Case study
• Self report and observation
• Hans dad Max would interview him and ask him questions and interpet the answers. He would write letters to Frued descrbing his observations
• Freud would reply with interpretations
• Freud met with little hans once

Results:

• Interest in his widdler - evidence for phallic stage of development
• Desire to get into bed with mother - evidence for oedipus complex
• Fear of white horses - symbolic of fear for his father as blinkers were like his fathers glasses and dark patch around mouth was like his father's moustache and evidence for castration anxiety
• Fantasy about a plumber giving him a bigger widdler and bigger behind - wanting to be like father resolutionn of oedipus complex

Conclusions:

• Hans was experiencing the Oedipus complex and provides support for psychosexual stages of development
• Hans behaviour is normal of every child