Psycho

Freud's theory of sexual development takes place over 5 stages, each lasting several years. The time of growing through these stages and excelling past each stage is crucial for the normal development of a person's mind. Following is a brief overview of each stage. For further details, the information here is taken from the website linked below. 

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1. The Oral Stage

    age range: birth to 1 year

    erogenous zone: mouth

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An infant's primary source of interaction during their first years are through the mouth. Development of rooting and sucking reflex. Eating abilities develop, and gratification from tasting and sucking. 

At this stage the infant is dependent upon their caretakers, so they develop trust. The conflict comes in when they become fixated on their caretakers instead of growing dependent. Issues may manifest into dependency or aggression, and problems with drinking, eating, smoking, or nail biting. 

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2. The Anal Stage

    age range: 1 to 3 years

    erogenous zone: bowel and bladder control

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This stage concerns the development of the libido (the sexual development of survival through reproducing), which is developed through controlling bladder and bowel movements: toilet training. 

Developing control at this stage results in a sense of accomplishment and further independence. This success is, Freud believes, a result of how the caretakers teach toilet training. This can lead to an adult becoming competent, productive and creative if the caretakers reward and make the training a positive experience for the child. If the caretakers shame their child for accidents, negative results can manifest for the child as anal-expulsive personality, or a messy, wasteful and destructive personality. If the caretakers are too strict, anal-retentive personality, or a stringent, orderly, rigid and obsessive personality can result. 

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3. The Phallic Stage

    age range: 3 to 6 years

    erogenous zone: genitals

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The focus of development here is the libido of the genitals, where children discover the differences between males and females. 

This is the stage where Freud's Oedipal complex can develop. The fear that a child may have of being punished for their sense of competition for their mothers affection is known as castration anxiety. Eventually, the child may identify with their same-sex parent as a means to possess the other parent. 

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4. The Latent Period

    age range: 6 to puberty

    erogenous one: sexual feelings are inactive

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This stage is where the superego continues to develop and the id is suppressed. Children now develop social skills and see the value in relationships with their peers and other adults outside of their family. This period is due to the development of the ego and superego. The sexual energy is sourced for non-sexual activities, such as hobbies or interests or developing non-familial relationships. 

Fixation at this stage can result in immaturity and the inability to form fulfilling relationships as an adult. 

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5. The Genital Sage

    age range: puberty to death

    erogenous zone: maturing sexual interests

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At the onset of puberty, the libido becomes active again. The individual becomes sexually interested in the opposite sex, which lasts the rest of their life. Interests become outwardly, the individual becomes concerned with the welfare of those outside themselves, and the successful development of all previous stages results in a well-balanced individual who is caring and has a balance between their various life areas. 

At this point, the ego and superego are fully developed, where the individual's basic urges is balanced with the demands of reality and societal norms.