The theory of seductionIn 1896, Freud published an article entitled "The etiology of hysteria" (Gleaves and Hernandez, 1999). In this article he presented his barely known "seduction theory", which held that the repression of childhood memories, and sometimes childhood sexual trauma, produced hysterical symptoms in adolescents and adults (usually women). (Gleaves and Hernandez, 1999). Furthermore, Freud claimed that the only way to relieve these symptoms was to “recover and relive repressed memories” (Gleaves and Hernandez, 1999). It is interesting to note however that just a year after the publication of this controversial article, Freud appeared to be having doubts about his theory. In a letter to a close friend, Wilhelm Fliess, Freud wrote that “a great secret has slowly dawned on me over the last few months” (Gleaves & Hernandez, 1999). Apparently, the big secret was that Freud no longer believed in his theory and was trying to revamp his theory of hysteria to better fit the evidence and research he had gathered (Gleaves & Hernandez, 1999). In his new theory, which would eventually give rise to what the psychological community recognizes as the Oedipus complex, Freud argued that hysteria was caused by repressed memories of sexual fantasies, not by memories of sexual abuse or of real trauma as he once believed (Gleaves and Hernandez, 1999). ).Freud's DoubtsIn another letter to Fliess, dated September 1897, Freud expressed four general concerns and reasons for abandoning his theory (Gleaves & Hernandez, 1999; Aron, 2012). First, he discussed the fact that he was unable to resolve any of his analyzes or explain partial successes (Gleaves and Hernandez, 1999; Aron, 2012). If his theory was correct... middle of article... Educational theory? . . Retrieved April 4, 2014 from http://carlossakka.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/why-did-freud-abandon-his-seduction-theory-1of2/Esterson, A. Jeffrey Masson and the theory of seduction by Freud: a new fable based on old myths. History of the Human Sciences, 11, 1-21. Gleaves, D. and Hernandez, E. Recent Reformulations of Freud's Development and Abandonment of His Seduction Theory: Historical/Scientific Clarification or Continuing Assault on the Truth? . History of psychology, 2, 324-354.Masson, JM (1984). The assault on truth: Freud's suppression of the theory of seduction. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Biography of Sigmund Freud. (January 1, 2012). . Accessed April 1, 2014 from http://www.egs.edu/library/sigmund-freud/biography/Sigmund Freud. (1998, January 1). Retrieved April 2, 2014 from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/bhfreu.html