stages of psychosexual development

what is the definition of fixation?

when a child can’t progress from one stage to the other

what are the 5 key stages of psychosexual development?

1. oral

2. anal

3. phallic

4. latent

5. genital

what ages does the oral stage occur between?

birth to 1 year old

where is satisfaction shown in the oral stage?

putting things into their mouths

where could conflict occur in the oral stage?

weaned too early or too late

what behaviours could occur later in life from fixation in the oral stage?

• smoking

• nail biting

• chewing fingers

• thumb sucking

• verbally loud or aggressive

what ages does the anal stage occur between?

1 to 3 years old

where is satisfaction shown in the anal stage?

from defecating

where could conflict occur in the anal stage?

toilet training is too harsh or too relaxed

what behaviours could occur later in life from fixation in the anal stage?

• anal retentive personality

  • hates mess

  • obsessively tidy

  • punctual

  • respects authority

• anal expulsive personality

  • messy

  • disorganised

  • rebellious

  • shares personal information

what ages does the phallic stage occur between?

3 to 6 years old

where is satisfaction shown in the phallic stage?

from their genitalia

where could conflict occur in the phallic stage?

desire for a relationship with their mother or father

what behaviours could occur later in life from fixation in the phallic stage?

• men:

  • feelings of anxiety + guilt about sex, fear of castration, aggressive and competitive

• women:

  • develop inferiority complex towards men and penis envy

what ages does the latency stage occur between?

6 to puberty

where is satisfaction shown in the latency stage?

• child has little to no sexual impulse in this stage

• redirects energy to school, hobbies and same sex friendships

where could conflict occur in the latency stage?

interacting with same sex peers

what behaviours could occur later in life from fixation in the latency stage?

fixation doesn’t occur in this stage

what ages does the genital stage occur between?

puberty to adulthood

where is satisfaction shown in the latency stage?

from sexual experimentation, often focused on heterosexual pleasure/intercourse

where could conflict occur in the genital stage?

establishing intimate realtionships with the opposite sex

what behaviours could occur occur later in life from fixation in the genital stage?

• fixation is what is expected to happen - indicates a well-adjusted adult

• failure to fixate- a person may develop sexual peversions