Question

During which stage do children begin to recognize the difference between males and females?

• A. Oral stage
• B. Anal stage
• C. Phallic stage
• D. Latency stage

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Phallic stage

Psychosexual  Developmental Theory by Freud 

• Psychosexual stages were given by Sigmund Freud.

• Freud believed that early experiences play a large role in personality development and continue to influence behavior in later  life.  

• Sigmund Freud believed that children can gain sexual  gratification from any part of their bodies and during childhood , they go through 5 psychosexual stages that shape their adult personality. 

The 5 Psychosexual Stages

Stage	Age	Erogenous Zone
Oral	0–1 year	Mouth (Sucking, biting)
Anal	1–3 years	Bowel/Bladder control
Phallic	3–6 years	Genitals
Latency	6–Puberty	sexual feelings are inactive
Genital	Puberty+	Maturing sexual interests

1. Oral stage 

• Birth to 1 year 

• Erogenous zone : mouth 

• In the first stage of psychosexual development , the libido is centered in a baby’s mouth.  

• Fixation in this stage leads to problems such as : - 

  smoking , drinking,  overeating – nail – biting , finger – chewing or thumb  sucking. 

• People especially indulge in these behaviors when they are stressed.  

2. Anal stage 

• 1 to 3 years old 

• Erogenous zone : Anus and bladder 

• During the anal stage Freud believed that the primary focus of the libido was on controlling bladder and bowel movements.   

• The major conflict at this stage is toilet training.

• The child has to learn to control their bodily needs. 

3. Phallic stage 

• 3 to 6 years 

• Erogenous zone : Genitals 

• At this age , children begin to discover the difference between males and females. 

• Go through either :- 

  •  The oedipus complex

  • The electra complex 

4. Latency stage

• 6 to puberty 

• Erogenous zone : sexual feelings are inactive 

• The latent period is a time of exploration in which the sexual  energy repressed or dormant. 

5. Genital stage

• Puberty to death 

• Erogenous zone : maturing sexual interests 

• Individual sexual urges are reawakened and are directed  toward opposite sex. 

• However unlike at the phallic stage the sexuality at the genital stage is consensual. 

• People who completed the earlier stages successfully become well – adjusted , caring and secure individuals at this stage.