Psychoanalytic Perspective

Psychosexual Theory (Sigmund Freud)

If a child receives too little or too much gratification in any of these stages, they are at risk of fixation, an arrest in development that can show up in adult personality.

Psychosexual Stages

Oral
Anal
Phallic
Latency
Genital

Oral Stage

Birth to 1 ½ years

Anal Stage

1 ½ years to 3 years

Phallic Stage

3 to 6 years

Latency Stage

6 years to puberty

Genital Stage

Puberty onward

Psychosocial Development Theory (Erik Erikson)

Primary motivation for human behavior is social in nature and reflects a desire to affiliate with other people.

STAGE 1: Trust vs. Mistrust

Infancy (first year)

STAGE 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Infancy (1-3 years)

STAGE 3: Initiative vs. Guilt

Early Childhood (preschool years, 3-5 years)

STAGE 4: Industry vs. Inferiority

Middle and Late Childhood (elementary school years, 6 years – puberty)

STAGE 5: Identity vs. Identity Confusion

Adolescence (10-20 years)

STAGE 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation

Early Adulthood (20s-30s)

STAGE 7: Generativity vs, Stagnation

Middle Adulthood (40s-50s)

STAGE 8: Integrity vs. Despair

Late Adulthood (60s onward)

Trust vs. Mistrust

BASIC STRENGTH: Hope

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

BASIC STRENGTH: Will

Initiative vs. Guilt

BASIC STRENGTH: Purpose

Industry vs. Inferiority

BASIC STRENGTH: Competence

Identity vs. Identity Confusion

BASIC STRENGTH: Fidelity

Intimacy vs. Isolation

BASIC STRENGTH: Love

Generativity vs, Stagnation

BASIC STRENGTH: Care

Integrity vs. Despair

BASIC STRENGTH: Wisdom

Psychosexual Theory (Sigmund Freud)

Emphasizes the importance of experiences in infancy and early childhood; provides psychological explanations for mental illness.

Psychosocial Theory (Erik Erikson)

Helps explain the role of culture in personality development; important in lifespan psychology; useful description of major themes of personality development at different ages.

Oral Stage

Fixation can result in issues such as dependency or aggression, and traits like smoking, nail-biting, or overeating in adulthood.

Oral Stage

Activities: Sucking, biting, and breastfeeding.

Anal Stage

Activities: Bowel and bladder control.

Phallic Stage

Activities: Exploration and awareness of genital differences.

Latency Stage

Activities: Social interactions, hobbies, and skills development.

Latency Stage

This stage involves the repression of sexual impulses and development of the self.

Genital Stage

Activities: Mature sexual intimacy.