6. FREUD'S THEORY OF PSYCHOSEXUAL DEVELOPMENT


Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development proposes that human beings progress through a series of developmental stages, each characterized by a primary source of pleasure and conflict. 

Here is an overview of the five stages:

1. Oral stage (Birth- 18 months) It occurs during infancy. Infants gain primary satisfaction from taking in food and sucking on breast, a thumb or some other objects. The month is therefore the sensitive part which sexual energy is been released.

2. Anal stage (from 18 months -3 years) The main source of releasing sexual energy to bring satisfaction is the anal area. The child enjoys sitting down on potty for a very long time. During toilet training, the child is faced with society first attempt to control biological urge.

3. Phallic stage (from 3 years- 6 years) At this stage, the child releases libido (sexual desires) and derive pleasure from fondling and playing with sexual organs, he also becomes sensitive to the physical gender features between male and female. Freud believe that during this stage, the boy acquire Oedipus complex in which he develops unconscious sexual desires for his mother. Because of this, he become a rival with his father and sees him as a competitor. During this time, the boy also develops a fear that his father will punish him for his feelings of love for his mother by castration. Male children are able to resolve the complex through identification with father.

Girls are also belief to go through a similar situation in developing unconscious sexual attraction with their father. (Electra complex) 

4. Latency stage (6 years- puberty) Its during this stage that sexual urges remain dormant or repressed and children interact and play mostly with same sex peers.

5. Genital stage (puberty onward) the main source of energy release and sexual pleasure is the genital. The focus of the adolescent child is on sexual pleasure with his or her peers of the opposite sex unlike the phallic stage when it was the opposite sex parents. Children who escaped been fixated at any of the early stages develop acceptable character at adulthood. They are well-adjusted, matured and able to love and beloved.

Freud believed that successful navigation of each stage is crucial for healthy personality development. Fixation or regression to an earlier stage can lead to various psychological issues and conflicts.