Freud’s Stages of Psychosexual Development
Stage Focus
Oral Stage of development in
which the infant’s pleasure-
(0-18 months) seeking centers on the
mouth
Anal Here the infant’s pleasure
focuses on bowel/bladder
(18 months to 3 years) elimination. The child must
also cope with demands for
control.
Phallic The child’s pleasure zone
moves to the genitals. The
(3- 6 years) child must deal with
incestuous feelings toward
the parent of the opposite
sex---the Oedipus Conflict.
Latency All sexual and erotic
feelings are repressed
(6 years to Puberty)
Genital Maturation of sexual
instincts.
(Puberty on)
Fixation
Overly optimistic &
extremely dependent
OR
Pessimistic & hostile
Anal retentive: overly neat,
precise, and orderly
OR
Anal expulsive: Messy,
disorganized, and
destructive
Males may take great pride
in their sexual prowess and
express contempt for
women. Females may
become overly flirtatious
and promiscuous. (These
behaviors in both genders
may actually be signs of
extremely low self-esteem.)