Freud's Psychosexual Theory of Development

Overview

• Proposed by: Sigmund Freud
• Concepts: Tension and pleasure; Libido as a natural energy source
• Key Idea: Psychological development in childhood takes place in a series of fixed stages called psychosexual stages
• Importance of First Five Years: Crucial for personality development
• Fixation: Occurs when libidinal energy is stuck at a stage; can affect adulthood
• Mnemonic for Stages: Old Age Parrots Love Grapes (Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latent, Genital)

Stages of Psychosexual Development

1. Oral Stage (0-1 Years)

• Focus: Mouth
• Interaction: Rooting and sucking; mouth vital for eating
• Development: Feeding; develops trust and comfort
• Fixation Consequences: Dependency or aggression; manifests in behaviors like smoking, nail-biting

2. Anal Stage (1-3 Years)

• Focus: Anus
• Major Activity: Toilet training
• Development: Control and independence; praise and rewards encourage positive outcomes
• Fixation Consequences: Orderliness, messiness

3. Phallic Stage (3-6 Years)

• Focus: Genital area
• Concepts: Oedipus and Electra complexes
• Development: Identification with same-sex parent
• Fixation Consequences: Potential sexual dysfunction

4. Latent Period (6-12 Years)

• Focus: No specific area; libido directed to intellectual and social pursuits
• Importance: Development of social and communication skills
• Fixation: Generally no adult fixation

5. Genital Stage (12+ Years)

• Focus: Genitals
• Development: Sexual maturity and interests in opposite sex
• Outcome: If all stages completed successfully, individual is well-balanced and mentally healthy

Summary

• Freud's theory emphasizes the impact of early childhood experiences on adult personality.
• Successful resolution of conflicts at each stage leads to a healthy, well-adjusted adult.
• Failure or fixation can lead to various adult personality issues.