Book

Oedipus in the Trobriands

University of Chicago PressChicago, Ill. • Published In 1982 • Pages:

By: Spiro, Melford E..

Abstract
In this work, Spiro reanalyses Malinowski's interpretation of the Oedipus complex in the Trobriands (see 11: Malinowski) and argues '…that if the existence of the Oedipus complex is culturally variable, the Trobriands, at least, do not constitute evidence for such a thesis' (p. x). Chapters 1 and 2 examine Malinowski's interpretation. Chapters 3-5 present the Spiro's arguments for believing that the Oedipus complex does exist in the Trobriands. The final chapter of this work (chapter 6), discusses implications of the Trobriand findings, particularly in reference to the long controversies on the universality of the Oedipus complex.
Subjects
Theoretical orientation in research and its results
Adjustment processes
Personality development
Reviews and critiques
Family relationships
Avuncular and nepotic relatives
Kinship regulation of sex
Conception
culture
Trobriands
HRAF PubDate
1995
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Melanesia
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
Analyst
John Beierle
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
Papua New Guinea
Notes
[by] Melford E. Spiro
General psychoanalytic discussions on the Oedipus complex, when not directly related to the Trobrianders, has been indexed for Theoretical Orientation (121). Specific data on the complex when directly related to the Trobriand people, has been indexed for Personality Development (155).
Includes index.|Bibliography: p. 181-193
LCCN
82007032
LCSH
Trobriand Islanders/Oedipus complex/Ethnopsychology