Psychosexual Stages Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the Psychosexual Stages?

Freud proposed that psychological development in childhood takes place in a series of fixed stages.

Why are these stages called psychosexual stages?

Each stage represents the fixation of libido on different areas of the body.

What is libido?

Sexual energy or drives.

How did Freud use the term 'sexual'?

To refer to all pleasurable actions and thoughts. Signup and view all the answers

What creates the conflict between frustrated wishes and social norms?

The development within the first 5 years of life. Signup and view all the answers

Why do the ego and super ego develop?

To control and direct the need for gratification into socially acceptable channels. Signup and view all the answers

How can one advance to the next psychosexual stage?

By resolving the conflict associated with that stage. Signup and view all the answers

How do important characteristics of each stage stay with a person?

The more energy expended during that stage, the more those characteristics will remain. Signup and view all the answers

What is frustration in terms of psychosexual development?

The needs of the developing individual at any stage may not have been adequately met. Signup and view all the answers

What is overindulgence in psychosexual stages?

When a person's needs are so well satisfied that they are reluctant to leave a stage. Signup and view all the answers

What is fixation?

A portion of the individual’s libido is permanently invested in a particular stage of development. Signup and view all the answers

What are the five levels of psychosexual development?

Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latent, Genital. Signup and view all the answers

What is a mnemonic device for the five levels of psychosexual development?

Old age pensioners love grapes. Signup and view all the answers

What is oral development?

Libido is centered in a baby's mouth. Signup and view all the answers

What is oral fixation later in life?

Behaviors such as smoking, nail biting, finger chewing, and thumb sucking. Signup and view all the answers

What age range corresponds to the oral years?

0-1. Signup and view all the answers

What are anal years?

1-3. Signup and view all the answers

What does anal development involve?

The child derives pleasure from defecating, especially during potty training. Signup and view all the answers

What can early and harsh potty training lead to?

An anal-retentive personality. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes an anal-retentive personality?

Traits such as being stubborn and tight-fisted with cash and possessions. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes an anal-expulsive personality?

Messiness, disorganization, and a tendency to share. Signup and view all the answers

What is phallic development characterized by?

Sensitivity in the genitals and an awareness of sex differences. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychosexual Stages Overview

Proposed by Freud in 1905, childhood psychological development occurs in five fixed stages.
Each stage focuses the libido on different body areas, referred to as erogenous zones.

Libido

Defined as sexual energy or drives that create tension and derive pleasure from discharge.
Tension results from libido build-up, influencing behaviors and conflicts throughout development.

Development and Conflict

A child's development in the first five years creates conflicts between personal desires (id) and societal norms.
The ego and superego develop to manage gratification in socially acceptable ways.

Stage Transition

Advancement to the next psychosexual stage depends on resolving conflicts through sexual energy management.
The extent of energy expenditure during a stage affects the retention of key personality characteristics.

Frustration and Overindulgence

Individuals may struggle to advance stages due to unmet needs, leading to frustration.
Overindulgence occurs when needs are excessively satisfied, causing reluctance to leave a stage.

Fixation

Represents the notion of libido being permanently invested in a particular developmental stage due to frustration or overindulgence.
Fixation can influence adult personalities and behaviors.

Five Levels of Psychosexual Development

Stages include Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latent, and Genital.
Mnemonic: "Old age pensioners love grapes" helps recall the stages.

Oral Development

Ages 0-1: Libido focused on the mouth; infants explore and satisfy needs through oral activities.
Personality traits of oral fixation in adulthood: behaviors such as smoking, nail-biting, and thumb-sucking.

Anal Development

Ages 1-3: Ego development occurs; pleasure derived from defecation during potty training.
Early, harsh potty training may lead to anal-retentive personality traits: obsession with tidiness and punctuality.
Late, liberal potty training can lead to anal-expulsive personalities: characterized by messiness and generosity.

Phallic Development

Sensitivity shifts to the genitals; masturbation becomes a new source of pleasure.
Awareness of anatomical sex differences introduces complex conflicts involving erotic inclinations.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore Freud's theory of psychosexual stages through these flashcards. Each card delves into different stages of childhood development and the associated fixes of libido. Perfect for students looking to understand the foundations of psychoanalytic theory.