Freud's Theory of Psychosexual Development

Overview

• Sigmund Freud's theory suggests that humans pass through five critical psychosexual stages during development.
• Libido (sex drive) focuses on different erogenous zones at each stage.

Stages of Psychosexual Development

1. Oral Stage (0-1 year)

• Focus: Oral senses and sucking (breast/bottle)
• Conflict: Weaning from primary caregiver
• Outcomes:
  • Healthy weaning leads to independence.
  • Traumatic weaning leads to oral fixation (e.g., addiction, manipulative behavior).

2. Anal Stage (1-3 years)

• Focus: Control of bladder and bowel movements
• Conflict: Toilet training
• Outcomes:
  • Positive reinforcement leads to competence.
  • Harsh training leads to anal-retentive (over-controlling) personality.
  • Lack of training leads to anal-expulsive (messy, disorganized) personality.

3. Phallic Stage (3-6 years)

• Focus: Genitals and gender identity
• Conflict: Oedipus Complex (boys) and Penis Envy (girls)
• Outcomes:
  • Identification with same-sex parent resolves conflict.
  • Lack of resolution can lead to gender identity issues and inferiority complexes.

4. Latency Stage (6-puberty)

• Focus: Development of life skills and social values
• Sexual energy is sublimated into hobbies and learning.
• No significant conflicts.

5. Genital Stage (Puberty-death)

• Focus: Developing interest in sexual partners
• Conflict: Balancing id's desires and superego's social norms
• Outcomes:
  • Strong ego leads to fulfilled life.
  • Imbalance can result in perversions or egotism.

Freud's Psychoanalysis

• Unconscious stores all experiences and influences behavior.
• Memories and desires can surface through dreams or thoughts.
• Discussion and revelation of these can lead to healthier life.

Freud's Recommendation

• We should align with our complexes rather than eliminate them.
• Complexes guide our conduct in the world.

Discussion Prompt

• Encourages sharing thoughts on the validity of Freud's theory and the unconscious.