Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of DevelopmentDevelopment

Each stage represents a source of unconscious conflict between the id and the parents who put restrictions on the gratification of instinctual drives and unconscious desires. The parents and society help create the superego, which battles the id for influence over the ego.

Fixation, getting stuck in a stage, can occur from either over-gratification or under-gratification of the id’s desires.

Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of DevelopmentDevelopment

Stage Ages Erogenous Zone

Key Events or Complexes Possible problems caused by fixation

Oral Birth to 18 mos.

•Mouth •Breast feeding, eating, chewing & biting

•“Oral fixation”•Overeating, smoking, talkative, overly quiet, overly demanding, argumentative

Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of DevelopmentDevelopment

Stage Ages Erogenous Zone

Key Events or Complexes Possible problems caused by fixation

Anal 18 mos. to 3 yrs.

•Anus •Toilet training •Anal retentive – neat, stingy, rigid•Anal expulsive – messy & disorganized

Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of DevelopmentDevelopment

Stage Ages Erogenous Zone

Key Events or Complexes

Possible problems caused by fixation

Phallic 3 - 6 •Genitals •Oedipus Complex: Competition against father for mother’s affection; fear of castration (castration anxiety) results in identification with father•Electra complex – female version•Penis envy – feeling of loss that generates hostility toward mother

•Going through life trying to prove manhood•Searching for mother-figure in relationships•Gender identity difficulties•Sexual difficulties•Women feeling inferior

Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of DevelopmentDevelopment

Stage Ages Erogenous Zone

Key Events or Complexes Possible problems caused by fixation

Latency 6 to 12

NA Continued repression of sexual urges and an increased use of defense mechanisms such as sublimation

•Repression of sexual feelings•Focus on social & intellectual skills•Same sex friendship

Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of DevelopmentDevelopment

Stage Ages Erogenous Zone

Key Events or Complexes

Possible problems caused by fixation

Genital 12 & on

Genitals (Fixation may have occurred at earlier stages)Continued problems depending on fixation patterns

•Seeking intimate relationships