CAN the FATHER COMPLEX BECOME INSTITUTIONALIZED? WOMEN’S ORGANIZATIONAL EXPERIENCE in the CONTEXT of the ELECTRA COMPLEX
Sr No:
Page No:
82-90
Language:
English
Authors:
Assoc. Prof. Yesim Sirakaya*
Received:
2025-09-30
Accepted:
2025-10-20
Published Date:
2025-10-24
Abstract:
This study examines the relationship between two key concepts of psychoanalytic
theory-the father complex and the Electra complex-in the context of women employees’
industrial experiences. The research aims to understand the influence of these psychodynamic
structures on organizational culture, perceptions of leadership, relationships with authority, and
career advancement. In the literature, the father complex is defined as the reflection of an
individual’s unconscious conflicts with the father figure on adult behavior and relationship
patterns, while the Electra complex refers to a woman’s emotional and competitive orientation
toward her father. The study discusses how these two concepts are reflected in
“institutionalized” forms within organizational structures, particularly in male-dominated
sectors, hierarchical organizations, and environments characterized by authoritarian leadership
styles, and how they influence women’s decision-making processes, leadership roles, and
workplace relationships. The findings indicate that women employees’ relationships with
authority figures can be shaped by the unconscious father image and Electra dynamics, which in
turn may affect organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and career motivation. The study
argues for making the psychodynamic perspective more visible in the field of industrial and
organizational psychology and, in this regard, offers both theoretical and practical
recommendations for researchers and human resource professionals.
Keywords:
Father complex, Electra complex, women employees, organizational experience, psychoanalytic theory, industrial and organizational psychology.