Lifespan development 3 Flashcards
What is the oral stage in Freud’s psychosexual theory?
Ages 0-1.5 years; focus is on the mouth, and pleasure comes from sucking, swallowing, and oral exploration.
What happens if a child is fixated in the oral stage?
- They may develop oral-focused habits like overeating, smoking, or nail-biting as adults.
What is the anal stage in Freud’s psychosexual theory?
Ages 1.5-3 years; focus is on the anus, and pleasure comes from mastering bowel movements and control.
What happens if a child is fixated in the anal stage?
They may develop an anal-retentive personality (overly controlling, perfectionist) or an anal-expulsive personality (messy, disorganized).
What is the genital stage in Freud’s psychosexual theory?
Ages 12+ years; sexual desires re-emerge, and focus shifts to forming mature, intimate relationships.
What is the phallic stage in Freud’s psychosexual theory?
Ages 3-6 years; focus is on the genitals, and children experience the Oedipus complex (boys) or Electra complex (girls).
What is the Oedipus complex in Freud’s theory?
A boy’s unconscious desire for his mother and rivalry with his father during the phallic stage.
What is the Electra complex in Freud’s theory?
A girl’s unconscious desire for her father and rivalry with her mother during the phallic stage.
What happens if a child is fixated in the phallic stage?
They may develop issues with gender identity, sexual dysfunction, or difficulties in relationships.
What is the latency stage in Freud’s psychosexual theory?
Ages 6-12 years; sexual desires are repressed, and focus shifts to social skills, friendships, and learning.
What is the main focus of Freud’s psychosexual theory?
Childhood experiences and unconscious desires shape personality and behavior in adulthood.
What happens if a child does not resolve conflicts in Freud’s stages?
They may become fixated in that stage, leading to psychological issues in adulthood.
What is the role of erogenous zones in Freud’s theory?
Each stage focuses on a different erogenous zone (e.g., mouth in oral stage, genitals in phallic stage), which is the source of pleasure and conflict.
How does Freud’s view of development differ from Erikson’s?
- Freud focuses on psychosexual stages and unconscious drives
- Erikson focuses on psychosocial stages and social interactions.
What is the role of parents in Freud’s psychosexual stages?
Parents play a key role in helping children resolve conflicts at each stage (e.g., weaning in the oral stage, toilet training in the anal stage).
What is the significance of the latency stage in Freud’s theory?
It is a period of sexual dormancy where children focus on developing social and intellectual skills.
What is the genital stage’s main task in Freud’s theory?
To develop mature, adult sexuality and form intimate relationships.
How does Freud’s theory explain personality development?
Personality develops through resolving conflicts in each psychosexual stage; unresolved conflicts lead to fixation and psychological issues.
What is the main criticism of Freud’s psychosexual theory?
It is overly focused on sexuality, lacks empirical evidence, and is considered culturally biased.
