Psychosexual stages
Psychosexual stages are a concept in psychoanalytic theory that describes the development of a person's sexuality from infancy to adulthood. This theory, proposed by Sigmund Freud, suggests that individuals go through distinct stages of sexual development, each characterized by a primary source of pleasure and potential conflict.
The five psychosexual stages are:
1. Oral stage (0-1 years): During this stage, the primary source of pleasure is the mouth, and infants derive pleasure from sucking, biting, and other oral activities.
2. stage (1-3 years): In this stage, the focus of pleasure shifts to the anus, as children begin to experience pleasure from bowel movements and the control of their bodily functions.
3. Phallic stage (3-6 years): This stage is marked by the development of a child's sexual identity, as they become aware of their own genitals and differences between boys and girls.
4. Latency stage (6-11 years): In this stage, sexual impulses are repressed and children focus on developing other aspects of their personality and social skills.
5. Genital stage (adolescence to adulthood): The final stage is characterized by the development of mature sexual relationships and the ability to form intimate connections with others.
Freud believed that unresolved conflicts or unresolved issues in any of these stages could lead to psychological problems in adulthood. However, modern psychologists and therapists may have differing views on the validity and applicability of Freud's psychosexual stages.