“We are chained to repeating ourselves when we are unconscious of the stories we are living out.”
– James Hollis
One of the most influential psychological theories of development is Sigmund Freud’s stages of psychosexual development. Freud believed that our behaviours and personalities are shaped by conflicts that occur at different stages of our childhood. These conflicts, he argued, are rooted in our drives for pleasure and satisfaction.
Freud’s theory of psychosexual development includes five stages: oral, anal, phallic, latent, and genital. Each stage is marked by the development of a different erogenous zone, or area of the body that is particularly sensitive to pleasure. According to Freud, if conflicts are not successfully resolved at each stage, individuals may develop fixations or issues related to that particular stage.
The first stage, the oral stage, occurs from birth to about 18 months. During this time, the infant’s primary focus is on oral stimulation, such as sucking and biting. If a child experiences either too much or too little oral stimulation, they may develop fixations related to dependence or aggression.
The second stage, the anal stage, occurs from around 18 months to three years old. During this time, the focus is on bowel and bladder control. If a child’s efforts at toilet training are either too harsh or too lenient, they may develop fixations related to anal expulsive or anal retentive behaviours.
The third stage, the phallic stage, occurs from around three to six years old. During this time, children become aware of their bodies and may develop sexual feelings towards their parents of the opposite sex. This is a crucial stage in the resolution of the Oedipus or Electra complex, where children begin to identify with their same-sex parent.
The fourth stage, the latent stage, occurs from around six to puberty. During this time, sexual feelings are repressed, and children focus on developing skills and abilities.
Finally, the fifth stage, the genital stage, occurs from puberty onward. During this time, the individual’s focus shifts to relationships and sexual pleasure.
While Freud’s stages of development have been critiqued and revised over the years, his contributions to psychology are still significant. Understanding how early childhood experiences can shape our personalities and behaviours can provide insight into our own patterns and motivations. By becoming aware of these unconscious conflicts, we can begin to break free from repeating patterns and live more fulfilling lives.
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