Identify and describe the first three stages of psychosexual development as proposed by Sigmund Freud. In the answer, include the key developmental task associated with each stage and the potential effects of fixations on one's personality during these stages.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Students' answers may vary.

The answer should include the following elements:

Oral stage (from birth to 12 to 18 months): The mouth is an infant's main source of pleasure and exploration. Weaning is the key developmental task to be accomplished during this phase. If an infant is overindulged or frustrated in its search for oral gratification, oral fixation might occur, producing an adult who is either hostile and sarcastic or dependent and gullible.

Anal stage (from the first 12 to 18 months of life to 3 years): The anus is the toddler's source of pleasure: children gain pleasure from both the retention and expulsion of feces. Toilet training is the main task to be accomplished in this stage. If toilet training is too rigid or too lax, anal fixation may develop-producing an adult who is either overly controlled and rigid, or extremely sloppy and disorganized.

Phallic stage (from age 3 to age 5-6): The focus in this stage is on the genitals and the pleasure derived from fondling them. During this stage, the child must negotiate one of the most important hurdles of personality development: the Oedipal conflict. According to Freudian theory, as children focus attention on their genitals, the differences between male and female anatomy become more apparent.