Psychiatry - Psychosexual Stages of Sigmund Freud

Freud’s psychosexual theory of development

A series of stages where libido (sexual energy) is focused on different body parts.

Over-gratification (Deprivation of needs)

What leads to fixation at a particular stage according to Freud?

Achieve mature sexual identity and psychological stability

What is the goal of successfully passing through all stages?

Oral → Anal → Phallic → Latency → Genital

Name the correct sequence of Freud's psychosexual stages.

Superego

What structure develops through resolution of the Oedipal conflict?

False

T/F: Freud's psychosexual theory was based on the study of healthy children.

True

T/F: Each psychosexual stage is tied to a different erogenous zone.

False

T/F: Fixation at any stage has no impact on adult personality.

True

T/F: Successful resolution of childhood stages results in a healthy adult personality.

False

T/F: The genital stage is the first phase of development.

Mouth

What is the primary source of pleasure in the oral stage?

Oral eroticism vs. oral aggression

What are the two opposing oral behaviors described?

Oral Triad

Wish to eat, sleep, and relax after sucking is called?

Dependency (Envy, Narcissism, Addiction)

What character traits arise from oral fixation?

Over-gratification (Deprivation of oral needs)

What causes fixation in the oral stage?

False

T/F: Oral characters are independent and self-sufficient.

True

T/F: Infants in this stage explore the world through their mouth and senses.

True

T/F: Aggression in the oral stage can be shown through biting or spitting.

True

T/F: Addictions later in life may stem from oral fixation.

False

T/F: The resolution of oral phase is irrelevant to adult relationships.

Retention vs. expulsion of feces

What conflict characterizes the anal stage?

Anal sadism

Aggressive release of feces as a destructive act.

Anal erotism

Pleasure derived from controlling bowel movements.

OCD (Passive-Aggressive Disorder, Sadomasochism)

What adult disorders may arise from anal fixation?

Orderliness (Obstinacy, Frugality, Control)

What traits define the “anal character”?

True

T/F: Strict or lax toilet training can lead to anal fixation.

False

T/F: Messiness is unrelated to the anal stage.

True

T/F: Defecating in inappropriate places is a form of passive defiance.

True

T/F: Anal fixation may result in hoarding behaviors later in life.

False

T/F: The anal stage is not linked to independence and autonomy.

Castration Anxiety

Fear in males of losing the penis as punishment for oedipal wishes.

Penis envy

Female recognition of lacking a penis, leading to envy and ambition.

Oedipal Complex

A boy’s unconscious desire for his mother and rivalry with his father.

Electra Complex

A girl’s unconscious competition with her mother for her father’s love.

Gender identity and development of superego

What does resolution of this stage lead to?

False

T/F: Masturbation in this stage is always intentional and conscious.

True

T/F: Phobias may emerge as symbolic representations of castration fears.

True

T/F: Successful resolution involves identification with the same-sex parent.

False

T/F: Oedipal wishes are consciously expressed by the child.

True

T/F: Fixation may lead to gender identity issues or phobias.

Dormant (Sublimated)

What happens to sexual drives in this stage?

Hero worship

Admiration and emulation of idealized figures like superheroes or role models.

Chum period

Close same-sex friendships during school years.

Learning, skill-building, and social development

What is the primary focus of development in latency?

Obsessiveness or learning difficulties

What personality issues can result from poor latency development?

False

T/F: Latency stage focuses on direct sexual pleasure.

True

T/F: Children in this stage identify with same-sex peers and role models.

False

T/F: Latency children are likely to display romantic interests.

True

T/F: Sublimation is a defense mechanism seen during this stage.

False

T/F: Latency stage is free from psychological development.

Mature adult identity and sexual expression

What is the goal of the genital stage?

Id, ego, superego

What structures regulate behavior in this stage?

Suppression, humor, altruism, and anticipation

What defense mechanisms are considered healthy in this stage?

Re-emerge for reworking and resolution

What happens to unresolved earlier conflicts?

Individuation

Establishing independence from parents and forming one’s own identity.

True

T/F: The genital stage marks the return to earlier conflicts.

True

T/F: Ego in this stage should manage impulses and reality effectively.

False

T/F: Superego becomes more rigid and absolute in this stage.

False

T/F: Teenagers express sexuality unconsciously in genital stage.

False

T/F: Failure to develop a mature sexual identity is unrelated to earlier fixations.