The stage of psychosexual development that runs from approximately ages three to six is
a. latency.
b. phallic.
c. genital.
d. oral.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
b. phallic.
Explanation:
The phallic stage is the third stage of Sigmund Freud’s theory of psychosexual development, occurring between the ages of three to six years old. According to Freud, this stage is crucial for the development of a child’s personality and sexual identity.
During the phallic stage, children become aware of their own bodies, particularly their genitals, and begin to explore gender differences. Freud believed that this stage is marked by the Oedipus complex in boys and the Electra complex in girls.
- Oedipus Complex: Freud proposed that young boys develop unconscious desires for their mothers and see their fathers as rivals for their mother’s attention. However, due to fear of castration anxiety (fear that their father will punish them by removing their genitals), boys eventually resolve this conflict by identifying with their father, leading to the development of their superego and masculine identity.
- Electra Complex: Although Freud did not emphasize this as much as the Oedipus complex, he suggested that girls experience “penis envy,” desiring the power associated with masculinity. Eventually, they identify with their mothers and internalize female gender roles.
The phallic stage is critical for the development of gender identity, moral values, and social behavior. If a child experiences fixation at this stage (due to either excessive punishment or indulgence), Freud believed it could lead to personality issues such as vanity, exhibitionism, or recklessness in adulthood.
After the phallic stage, children enter the latency stage, where sexual impulses are subdued, allowing them to focus on learning and social development.
In summary, the phallic stage (ages 3-6) plays a significant role in shaping personality, gender roles, and morality, making it a crucial part of Freud’s psychosexual theory.