Question

Which of the following represents the proper order of personality development, according to Freud? a. Oral, phallic, latency, anal, genital b. Anal, oral, phallic, genital, latency c. Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital d. Latency, phallic, anal, genital, oral

Short answer

The correct order of personality development according to Freud is represented by option C: Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, Genital.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Freud's Stages of development

Freud's psychosexual stages of development are key to understanding this question. The correct order of these stages according to Freud are: Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, and Genital.

Match Freud's stages with the options given

After recalling the correct order of stages, compare it with the options given in the question. The option that matches Freud's order is the correct answer. Analyzing the options, only option C provides the correct order which is: Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, Genital.

Key concepts

Personality Development

In the realm of psychology, personality development refers to how an individual's character and personality traits adapt and change throughout their life. According to Freudian theory, human personality is not static but rather evolves through distinct stages of development. Each stage is influenced largely by early childhood experiences. Freud believed that by successfully navigating these stages, one could develop a healthy personality. However, if conflicts within a certain stage are not resolved, it could lead to fixation, affecting personality traits in adulthood. This is why understanding Freud's concept of personality development is crucial—it explains how crucial early experiences are in shaping the adult personality. Freud's stages of personality development encompass a sequence of behaviors rooted in earlier, unmet needs. These stages are intrinsically linked to psychosexual development, illustrating how Freud viewed sexual drives as central to personality evolution.

Psychosexual Development

Psychosexual development is a cornerstone of Freud's psychological theories, centered around the idea that personality develops through a series of childhood stages. In each stage, children gain pleasure from a specific area of the body.

• The Oral Stage focuses on the infant's pleasure centers around the mouth. Sucking, biting, and breastfeeding are significant during this time (from birth to 18 months).
• In the Anal Stage, pleasure focuses on bowel and bladder control (from 18 months to 3 years).
• The Phallic Stage is when preschoolers gain pleasure from exploring genital differences (ages 3 to 6).
• During the Latency Stage, sexual impulses are repressed as the child focuses on social development (ages 6 to puberty).
• Finally, in the Genital Stage, the individual matures sexually and the libido becomes active again (from puberty onward).

Each stage builds upon the previous ones, with successful progression through these phases leading to a well-adjusted adult personality. However, fixation could occur if there is conflict or either overindulgence or frustration during any stage.

Freudian Psychology

Freudian Psychology, or psychoanalysis, is a theory of personality and therapeutic technique that attributes thoughts and actions to unconscious motives and conflicts. Freud's theory posits that the unconscious mind influences much of our conscious behavior. The central pillar of Freudian psychology is the idea that the mind is divided into three parts: the id, ego, and superego. - The id is responsible for our basic instincts and desires. - The superego aims to achieve moral perfection. - The ego serves as the rational part that mediates between the desires of the id and the moral guidance of the superego. Freud's theories emphasized the powerful influence of childhood experiences on an individual's adult life, with the unconscious mind harboring unresolved conflicts that manifest in adult behavior. Overall, Freud's psychosexual stages and his division of the mind into id, ego, and superego remain foundational concepts in understanding human behavior and personality.