Freud psychosexual stages of development

Five psychosexual stages of development

Fixation

Inability to process normally from one stage to another

Oedipus complex

A child's unconscious desire for the opposite-sex parent and jealousy and hostility toward the same-sex parent during the phallic stage.

Castration anxiety

a boy's fear that his father will cut off his genitals for desiring his mother. This fear develops during the phallic stage as part of the Oedipus complex.

Oral stage of psychosexual development

Oral activities such as sucking, biting and chewing.

Age: birth to roughly 12 months

Result of fixation: excessive smoking, overeating or dependence on others

Anal psychosexual stage

Involves the child's control over bowel movements; occurs as they gain independence and learn toilet training. Age: 1 to 3 years. Result of fixation: anal-retentive (overly controlling) or anal-expulsive (easily angered) personality traits.

Phallic psychosexual stage of development

This stage occurs between ages 3 to 5 years, where a child's feelings of desire toward the opposite-sex parent and jealousy toward the same-sex parent emerge. It is crucial for developing sexual identity and can lead to the formation of the Oedipus or Electra complex. If fixation occurs, person could feel guilty or anxious regarding sex. This stage is characterized by the development of the Oedipus complex, where boys experience castration anxiety and girls experience penis envy. Successful resolution leads to a stable sexual identity.

Latency psychosexual stage of development

Age 5 to puberty. Sexuality is inactivate during this period. No fixation during this stage.

Genital psychosexual stage of development

Begins at puberty. Sexual urges return. Source of pleasure is the genitals. No fixations at this stage.