Freud

Question 1

Describe the participant

Answer 1

Little Hans
From Austria
5 years old at start of study

Question 2

Describe Hans’ case history

Answer 2

Castration anxiety
White horse collapse (developed phobia of horses, possibly due to size of penis)
Conflict with father about cuddling up to his mother in bed
By 5 phobia reduced

Question 3

How did Freud interpret the case as an example of the Oedipus complex?

Answer 3

Horses represented Hans’ father
The anxiety he felt was castration anxiety caused by mothers threat and father banning him from parental bed
Hans’ fantasy about children represented friendly resolution of Oedipus where father isn’t killed

Question 4

What fantasies did Hans have

Answer 4

That he would have lots of children and the mother would be ‘mummy’ and the grandfather ‘daddy’

Also that a plumber had come and replaced his penis with a bigger one