Psychosexual Development

Psychosexual Development

freud argued that sexual impulses are a central factor in personality development

eros

major instinct that aims to preserve and perpetuate life ; fueled by libido

libido

psychological, or psychic, energy

libidinal energy

involves sexual impulses

psychosexual development

process by which libidinal energy is expressed through different erogenous zones during different stages of development

oral stage

1st stage of psychosexual development, during which gratification is hypothesized to be attained primarily through oral activities

weaning

cessation of breastfeeding that leads to frustration

excessive gratification

infant expects that it will routinely obtain anything it wants

fixation

result of insufficient or excessive gratification at any stage

oral traits

dependency, gullibility, and excessive optimism or pessimism

oral fixation

exaggerated desires: smoking, overeating, alcohol abuse, and nail biting

oral fixation

adults with this may desire clinging, dependent relationships

anal stage

begins in the 2nd year

anal stage

gratification is attained through contraction and relaxation of the muscles that control elimination of waste products

elimination

reflexive during most of the first year, comes under voluntary muscular control even if its not reliable at first

anal stage

children learn to delay the gratification that comes from eliminating whenever they feel the urge (self-control)

anal-retentive

excessive use of self-control: perfectionism, a strong need for order, and exaggerated neatness and cleanliness

anal-expulsive

carelessness, messiness, and even sadism`

phallic stage

3rd year, shift of libido to phallic region

oedipus complex

conflict of the phallic stage:
boy wishes to possess his mother sexually and perceives his father as a rival in love

electra complex

conflict of the phallic stage:
girl longs for her father and resents her mother

masturbation

developed conflict during the phallic stage between parent-child over this

oedipus complex

legendary greek king who unwittingly killed his father and married his mother

electra complex

daughter of King Agamemnon longed for him after his death and sought revenge against his slayers (her mother & mother's lover)

age 5 or 6

oedipus & electra complex are resolved by _____

identification

key to gender-typing, leads to children playing the gender roles of the parent of the same gender and to internalize their values

genital stage

starts at puberty

incest taboo

causes teens to repress sexual urges toward parent and displace them onto other adults or adolescents of the other gender

genital stage

people in this stage prefer to find sexual gratification through intercourse with a member of the other gender