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Stages of Development in Freud

In this paper, each of Freud's oral, anal, phallic, latency and genital psychosexual stages of development (Comer 39-42) will be described and compared with Erikson's final three stages of developmentùintimacy vs. isolation; generativity vs. stagnation; and ego integrity vs. despair (Comer 651). Freud referred to the first 18 months of an infant's life as the oral stage because an infant is fixated on body parts such as the mouth, the lips and tongue, which is associated with feeding. During its initial contact with the outside world, the infant's sense of identity, security and need is dependent on its success in fulfilling its basic needs. Mothers who consistently fail to meet the needs of their infants will contribute to the latter's increase in anxiety. These infants will grow up to become adults who lack self-confidence and independence. They will also be mistrustful of others in relationships during adulthood (Comer 39).

During the anal stage that occurs when the infant becomes a toddler, the attention is shifted to the anusùthe capacity to retain and pass feces. According to Freud, how the parents toilet train the child will play a critical role in the latter's future development. Parents who adopt a punitive approach that is severe and harsh will lead to the child's development into an over-controlling, meticulous and passive-aggressive adult (Comer 39).

When the children turn three or four, they become interested in their genitals. Both boys and girls will become attracted to parents of the opposite sex and perceive the parents of the same sex as rivalsùthe Oedipus and Electra complex respectively. However, because of their fear of being punished by the parents of the same sex, they strive to identify with the parents of the same sex. Parents can enhance their children's sexual development by encouraging this identification process. The parents of the same sex also contribute to the formation of the chi...

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Stages of Development in Freud. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 02:54, March 19, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1687635.html