The Oral Stage
The oral stage lasts from birth to about one year of age. During this stage, the infant's main source of pleasure and interaction is the mouth. The infant uses the mouth for sucking, biting, and exploring objects. The mouth is also the first way the infant learns to trust and bond with the caregiver, who provides food and comfort. The main conflict in this stage is the weaning process, when the infant has to gradually reduce the dependence on the breast or bottle. If this process is done too harshly or too early, the infant may develop a sense of frustration, anger, or mistrust. If this process is done too leniently or too late, the infant may develop a sense of dependency, passivity, or greediness. These traits may persist into adulthood as oral fixation, which can manifest as smoking, overeating, drinking, nail-biting, or excessive talking.
The Anal Stage
The anal stage lasts from about one to three years of age. During this stage, the child's main source of pleasure and control is the anus. The child learns to regulate the elimination of feces and urine, which is a major step in developing autonomy and self-control. The main conflict in this stage is the toilet training process, when the child has to conform to the social expectations and rules of the parents or caregivers. If this process is done too strictly or too early, the child may develop a sense of shame, guilt, or fear. If this process is done too loosely or too late, the child may develop a sense of rebellion, messiness, or carelessness. These traits may persist into adulthood as anal fixation, which can manifest as obsession with orderliness, cleanliness, punctuality, or stinginess (anal retentive) or as disregard for rules, authority, hygiene, or boundaries (anal expulsive).
The Phallic Stage
The phallic stage lasts from about three to six years of age. During this stage, the child's main source of pleasure and curiosity is the genitals. The child becomes aware of the anatomical differences between males and females and develops a sexual attraction to the opposite-sex parent. This leads to the Oedipus complex in boys and the Electra complex in girls, which are unconscious desires to possess the opposite-sex parent and eliminate the same-sex parent as a rival. The main conflict in this stage is the resolution of these complexes, which involves identifying with the same-sex parent and internalizing their values and norms. This also marks the formation of the superego, which is the moral component of personality. If this process is not completed successfully, the child may develop a sense of guilt, anxiety, or inferiority. These traits may persist into adulthood as phallic fixation, which can manifest as narcissism, vanity, sexual aggression, or sexual dysfunction.
The Latency Stage
The latency stage lasts from about six years to puberty. During this stage, the child's sexual impulses are repressed and sublimated into other activities such as learning, playing, and socializing. The child develops friendships with peers of the same sex and acquires new skills and interests. The main conflict in this stage is the balance between repression and expression of sexuality. If this process is done too rigidly or too extensively, the child may develop a sense of boredom, apathy, or detachment. If this process is done too loosely or too insufficiently, the child may develop a sense of curiosity, experimentation, or deviance. These traits may persist into adulthood as latency fixation, which can manifest as intellectualism, creativity, or immaturity.
The Genital Stage
The genital stage lasts from puberty to adulthood. During this stage, the adolescent's sexual impulses are reawakened and directed toward mature sexual relationships. The adolescent develops a sense of identity and seeks intimacy and love with others. The main conflict in this stage is the integration of sexuality and personality. If this process is done successfully, the adolescent may develop a sense of maturity, responsibility, and fulfillment. If this process is not done successfully, the adolescent may develop a sense of confusion, insecurity, or dissatisfaction. These traits may persist into adulthood as genital fixation, which can manifest as sexual promiscuity, sexual inhibition, or sexual frustration.
Conclusion
Psychosexual stages of development are a way of understanding how childhood experiences shape personality and sexuality. According to Freud, each stage has a different focus and conflict that must be resolved for healthy development. However, Freud's theory has been criticized for being based on his own subjective observations, for being sexist and heteronormative, and for being outdated and unscientific. Therefore, psychosexual stages of development should be taken as a historical and cultural artifact rather than a universal and factual explanation of human nature.
References:
[Freud's Stages of Human Development: 5 Psychosexual Stages - Verywell Mind]
[Freuds Psychosexual Theory and 5 Stages of Human Development - Simply Psychology]
[Psychosexual Development: Breakdown of Freuds 5 Stages - Verywell Health]
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