Freud's Stages of Human Development: 5 Psychosexual Stages

Overview

• Freud believed life centers around tension and pleasure.
• Tension is due to the build-up of libido (sexual energy); pleasure from its discharge.
• Personality development is psychosexual, linked to how sexual energy is accumulated and discharged.
• Early years (first five years) are crucial for adult personality formation.
• Id, ego, and superego roles:
  • Id: basic urges
  • Ego & Superego: control urges to meet social norms.

Psychosexual Stages

Each stage is linked to specific conflicts requiring resolution.

• Successful resolution allows advancement to the next stage.
• Unresolved conflicts lead to fixation and influence adult personality.

Oral Stage (Birth to 1 Year)

• Focus: Mouth
• Activities: Sucking, biting, breastfeeding.
• Fixation leads to oral personalities such as smokers or overeaters.

Anal Stage (1 to 3 Years)

• Focus: Anus
• Activities: Defecating and toilet training.
• Fixation:
  • Anal-retentive: Obsessive cleanliness, stubbornness.
  • Anal-expulsive: Messy, disorganized.

Phallic Stage (3 to 6 Years)

• Focus: Genitals
• Major Conflict: Oedipus/Electra complex.
  • Oedipus Complex: Boys desire mother, fear father (castration anxiety).
  • Electra Complex: Girls desire father, experience penis envy.
• Fixation can lead to sexual dysfunction, issues with gender identity.

Latency Stage (6 Years to Puberty)

• Focus: Dormant sexual feelings.
• Activities: Social, intellectual skills development.
• Fixation can lead to difficulties in relationships or expressing emotions.

Genital Stage (Puberty to Adulthood)

• Focus: Mature sexual interests.
• Activities: Developing intimate relationships.
• Fixation can result in sexual dysfunction or relationship difficulties.

Critical Evaluation

Credibility

• Freud's stages are recognized but debated for their sexual emphasis.
• His theories are seen as unfalsifiable and scientifically lacking.

Criticisms

• Subjectivity: Relies on case studies and self-analysis.
• Alternative Perspectives: Bowlby’s attachment theory vs. Freud's sexual focus.
• Reinterpretations: Challenges to Freud’s credibility (e.g., Masson’s claims).
• Female Development: Lacks focus on female sexuality and non-heteronormative orientations.

Freud vs. Erikson

• Erikson extended Freud's stages throughout the lifespan, focusing on social relationships and identity formation.
• Questions the extent to which childhood fixations alone define adult personality.

Conclusion

• Freud's psychosexual theory offers foundational insights into personality development but is critiqued for its lack of scientific rigor and limited applicability to diverse populations.