Psychology Chapter on Freud's Stages

What is the primary focus of the libido during the oral stage of psychosexual development?

During which stage of development does the Oedipal complex occur?

What is a characteristic behavior during the anal stage of psychosexual development?

Which of the following stages does not focus on sexual impulses?

What concept is described as the inhibition of development in one of the psychosexual stages?

At what age range does the genital stage of psychosexual development occur?

What principle governs the pursuit of immediate gratification in Freud's psychoanalytic theory?

What term describes the areas of the body that provide pleasure, such as the mouth and genitals?

What psychological conflict is primarily associated with the phallic stage?

What characteristic defines the latency stage of psychosexual development?

Psychoanalytic Approach

Developed by Sigmund Freud, emphasizes the interplay between internal needs and environmental factors.
Explores the unconscious mind and how it influences behavior.

Stages of Psychosexual Development

Oral Stage (birth to 18 months):
- Primary source of pleasure is the mouth.
- Key activities: sucking and biting.
Anal Stage (2 to 3 years):
- Focus on the anus.
- Pleasure derived from toilet training and control over bodily functions.
Phallic Stage (3 to 5 years):
- Focus shifts to the genitals.
- Involves the Oedipal complex (boys' attraction to mothers) and Electra complex (girls' attraction to fathers).
- Key for the development of gender identity and associated conflicts.
Latency Stage (6 to 12 years):
- Sexual impulses are suppressed.
- Children concentrate on social skills, intellectual development, and friendships.
Genital Stage (12 to 19 years and beyond):
- The focus revisits the genitals.
- Individuals pursue mature sexual relationships, continuing throughout adulthood.

Key Concepts

Fixation: Occurs when psychosexual development is stalled or hindered, affecting personality.
Libido: Represents life energy, encompassing life instincts and death instincts.
Castration Anxiety & Penis Envy: Developmental fears and desires related to gender identity.
Pleasure Principle: Drives an individual's pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain.
Reality Principle: Conflicts the pleasure principle by considering the constraints of reality.
Erogenous Zones: Specific areas of the body (mouth, anus, genitals) that provide sexual pleasure, central to psychosexual stages.

Explore the psychoanalytic approach pioneered by Sigmund Freud, emphasizing the five stages of psychosexual development. Learn about the key characteristics of each stage, from the Oral Stage to the Anal Stage, and how these stages influence personality and behavior. Test your understanding of these fundamental concepts in psychology.