Defense Mechanism

Question 1

Freud’s stages of psychosexual development

Answer 1

Oral stage, anal stage, phallic stage, latent stage, genital stage.

Question 2

Libido

Answer 2

Pleasure drive

Question 3

Oral stage

Answer 3

From birth to 18 months.

Mouth is the focus of pleasure.

A newborn will have instant pleasure from the mouth from feeding and from sucking their thumb.

The id is in control.

Fixation occurs at this stage if a child’s weaned too soon or is not weaned soon enough.

Oral fixation can lead to overeating, talking too much, chewing gum, sucking thumb as an adult, etc.

Question 4

Anal Stage

Answer 4

2 – 3 years old or when potty training is completed.

The focus for pleasure is the anus.

If this stage is not resolved then it will lead to an anal character.

Anally retentive – very tidy (OCD), likes order and being in control.

Anally expulsive – generous but disorganised doesn’t like to follow rules (sociopath).

Parents might be too strict or too lenient which causes the fixation.

Question 5

Phallic Stage

Answer 5

Occurs from the age of 4.

The focus of pleasure and sexual energy is the genitals.

Boys experience the Oedipus Complex.

Girls experience the Electra Complex.

Gender differences are noticed and psychosexual development differs between sexes.

Question 6

Little Hans

Answer 6

Freud believed that the case study of Little Hans supported his theory of psychosexual stages and the Oedipus Complex in particular his interpretation of Hans’ behaviour.

Question 7

Oedipus complex

Answer 7

The Oedipus complex occurs during the Phallic stage of development (ages 3-6) in which the source of libido (life force) is concentrated in the child’s body (Freud, 1905). During this stage, children experience an unconscious feeling of desire for their opposite-sex parent and jealousy and envy toward their same-sex parent.

Question 8

Anally rententive

Answer 8

Ananal retentiveperson is a person who pays such attention to detail that it becomes an obsession and may be an annoyance to others.

Question 9

Anally expulsive

Answer 9

Anal expulsiveness is the state of a person who exhibits cruelty, emotional outbursts, disorganization, self-confidence, artistic ability, generosity, rebelliousness and general carelessness.