Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory - Psychosexual Stages, Complexes, and Personality Structures

Vocabulary flashcards covering Freud's psychosexual stages, fixation, Oedipus/Electra complexes, and the Freudian structural model (id, ego, superego) plus levels of consciousness.

Oral Stage (birth to 18 months)

First psychosexual stage; erogenous zone is the mouth; pleasure from sucking; fixation can lead to an oral personality.

Oral Receptive

Oral fixation type with increased oral activities; may include smoking, overeating, and drinking.

Oral Aggressive

Oral fixation type marked by aggressive oral behaviors such as nail-biting or gossip.

Anal Stage (18 months to 3 years)

Second stage; erogenous zone is the anus; toilet training influences personality; fixation leads to anal retentive or anal expulsive traits.

Anal Retentive

Personality trait of excessive cleanliness, orderliness, and control.

Anal Expulsive

Personality trait characterized by messiness and disorganization.

Phallic Stage (ages 3 to 6)

Third stage; erogenous zone is the genitals; children notice gender differences and may engage in genital exploration.

Oedipus Complex

Boys' unconscious sexual desire for the mother; fear of punishment by the father (castration anxiety); resolution through identification with the father.

Castration Anxiety

Fear by a boy that the father will punish him for incestuous wishes toward the mother.

Electra Complex

Girls' unconscious sexual desire for the father; resolution through identification with the mother.

Genital Stage (puberty onwards)

Fifth stage; sexual urges reawaken and focus on genitals; interest centers on opposite-sex peers.

Latency Stage (age 6 to puberty)

Sexual urges are repressed; focus on physical and academic skills; same-sex peer relationships prominent.

Freud's Personality Components

Three-part structure: id, ego, and superego.

Id

Part of personality present at birth; operates on the pleasure principle; seeks immediate gratification.

Ego

Mediator that operates on the reality principle; balances id and superego and considers reality.

Superego

Moral component; internalized parental and societal standards; conscience.

Conscious

What we are aware of at any moment; a small part of the mind.

Preconscious

Information not in active awareness but can be retrieved; lies just below the surface.

Unconscious

Deepest level of mind; houses desires, memories, and impulses outside awareness; influences thoughts and behavior.

Iceberg Metaphor (Freud's Model)

Mind as an iceberg: a small conscious tip above water; a large unconscious portion below; preconscious near the surface; nonconscious information is not readily accessible.