2.5 Psychosexual Stages of Development

Core ideas: libido (psychic energy) is concentrated at different erogenous zones across development; each stage has a specific source of pleasure, a key conflict to resolve, and potential fixation if conflicts are unresolved.
Key terms tied to each stage:
- Source of pleasure (libido energy)
- Erogenous zones (areas of the body tied to pleasure)
- Conflict (drive relief vs. parental/regulatory demands)
- Fixation (persistent focus on earlier stage characteristics due to unresolved conflicts; considered a defense mechanism in Freud's view)
Fixation and later behavior: behaviors from an earlier stage may persist into later stages if conflicts aren't resolved.
Structural theory reference: libido and stages interact with Id, Ego, and Superego; maturity involves balancing these structures and reduced repression; conscious vs unconscious processes.
Defense mechanisms and outcomes: repressions can lead to sublimation rather than neurotic symptoms in some cases.
Overview of the stages (in order): Oral, Anal, Phallic (often discussed with Oedipus/Electra concepts), Latency, Genital.
Real-world relevance: these stages have been used to explain early childhood experiences, personality patterns, and some cultural attitudes toward behaviors like masturbation and toilet training.

Stage focus: source of pleasure is the mouth; primary object of the libido is the primary caregiver