Journal #4: Sigmund Freud's Psychosexual Developmental Stages

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) was most well known for his personality development theories. He believes that children experience subconscious sexual urges and fixations as they grow older due to a lack of resolution in any of his stages. Each stage has a particular erogenous zone where the child gains his pleasure from. While proper movement through Freud's stages has no consequences, improper resolution can affect the child's personality greatly. Freud also believes that improper resolution in any of the stages can lead to an over or under indulgence of that particular zone as an adult.

1. Oral Stage: birth- 18 months

The liberal energy is focused on the mouth during this stage. The infant gains pleasure through feeding and sucking, and thus gains comfort. An oral fixation may occur later in life if the child is overfed (over-protected) or underfed (neglected). This fixation will show through activities such as smoking, nail biting, and eating. An orally fixated person will show traits of aggression, and pessimism or dependency and gullibility.

2. Anal Stage: 18 months- 3 years

This stage takes place during the "potty training years" and the erogenous zone shifts to the gentials. The child learns that releasing waste gives them relief and pleasure, while holding it in causes discomfort. The child is also experiencing a conflict in their unconscious mind. The "Id" finds pleasure in expelling the waste, while the "Ego" and "Superego" press the child to resist those bodily functions. An anal fixation can show in two forms: anally expulsive or anally retentive. An anally expullsive person will be defiant, hostile, have limited self control, and be scatterbrained. An anally retentive person will be rigid, overly submissive, and OCD.

3. Phallic Stage: 3 years- 6 years

At this age, the child begins to form a specific attachment to the parent of the opposite gender. This is where the terms "Mama's Boy" and "Daddy's Girl" are really rooted. Young boys can begin to form an Oedipus Complex: a sexual intrigue for their mothers and a jealousy of their father's intrusion. They are not sexually attracted to their mother's, they are just fascinated to learn that their mother has different body parts then they do. This can lead to Castration Anxiety. Because of this fear, the young boy will suppress his love for his mother and attempt to be more like his father. The same process is true for females, only it is referred to as an Electra Complex. They eventually develop Penis Envy and identify with their mothers. If the child doesn't identify with the same gender parent, they become phallic. People with this fixation tend to be more reckless, self-assured, narcissistic, and have difficulty forming loving

relationships.

4. Latic Stage: 6 years- puberty

This is a transition stage. The sexual drive of the child is dormant; think of it as the time children develop "cooties". The child works on self improvement, sports, schools, and friends. This is the time in a child's life when they form same-sex friendships.

5. Genital Stage: puberty- death

The erogenous zone shifts to the genitals, and the genitals of others. People focus on receiving pleasure through these areas and sexual contact. Freud believes that improper transitioning into this stage can lead to a failure to form heterosexual relationships.

Sources:

• http://www.simplypsychology.org/psychosexual.html

Images (Top To Bottom):

• http://www.newkidscenter.com/Baby-Thumb-Sucking.html

• http://blog.timesunion.com/parenting/20438/poll-should-you-outsource-your-childs-potty-training/

• http://www.southbay.ymca.org/daddy-daughter-dance2.html

• http://www.livestrong.com/article/525188-the-disadvantages-of-girls-boys-playing-together-in-sports/

• http://blog.match.com/2012/04/19/make-your-earth-day-an-earth-date/