Psychosexual development

Sigmund Freud, by Max Halberstadt (cropped)

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1869 Frederic Leighton - Electra at the Tomb of Agamemnon

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Psychosexual development is a central element of the psychoanalytic theory proposed by Sigmund Freud, which posits that human beings go through a series of stages from infancy to adulthood that are critical to personality and behavior development. According to Freud, each stage is focused on the erogenous zones that are important at a particular age. Failure to properly navigate these stages can result in psychological issues in adulthood.

Stages of Psychosexual Development

Oral Stage (0-1 years)

The oral stage is the first stage, occurring from birth to about 18 months. During this stage, the mouth is the primary erogenous zone, and pleasure is obtained from oral activities such as sucking and eating. Key concepts related to this stage include the oral fixation, which can result in problems such as pessimism, envy, and aggression if not properly resolved.

Anal Stage (1-3 years)

The anal stage follows, from about 18 months to three years of age. In this stage, the anus is the primary focus of libidinal energy, and the child derives pleasure from controlling bowel movements. Issues with this stage can lead to an anal-retentive personality or an anal-expulsive personality, characterized by meticulousness and stubbornness, or messiness and recklessness, respectively.

Phallic Stage (3-6 years)

During the phallic stage, the primary focus shifts to the genitalia. Freud introduced the concepts of the Oedipus complex and the Electra complex during this stage, where a child feels a desire for the opposite-sex parent and jealousy towards the same-sex parent. Successful navigation of this stage leads to identification with the same-sex parent, which is crucial for developing a healthy gender identity.

Latency Stage (6-puberty)

The latency stage is a period of relative calm. The sexual drives are less active, and the focus is on developing social skills, friendships, and acquiring new knowledge. This stage is crucial for the development of social and communication skills.

Genital Stage (puberty onwards)

The final stage is the genital stage, beginning at puberty. The sexual drive re-emerges and is directed towards heterosexual relationships. The successful resolution of earlier stages leads to a well-balanced and healthy attitude towards sex and relationships.

Criticisms and Impact

Freud's theory of psychosexual development has been widely criticized for its focus on sexuality as the primary driver of personality development and its lack of empirical evidence. Critics also argue that the theory is gender-biased and does not account for variations in sexual orientation. Despite these criticisms, Freud's theory has had a profound impact on psychology, psychotherapy, and cultural studies, influencing a wide range of theories about human development and personality.

See Also

• Sigmund Freud
• Psychoanalytic theory
• Oedipus complex
• Electra complex
• Psychological development