1. Freud’s theory of psychosexual development Are you ready for this….?

2. The oral stage This oral stage lasts from 0-15 months. This is related to whether one has been weaned appropriately. If deprived or over-indulged, fixation can take place and affect one’s adult life. Oral fixation can be seen in compulsive eaters/drinkers, smokers, pen suckers and those CHEWING GUM!!!

3. The anal stage This takes place between one and three years old. It relates to how successfully you have been potty trained! Those with problems managing this smoothly can become anally retentive i.e. excessively or obsessively tidy, hoarding objects etc Alternatively, one could become anally expulsive, very untidy/messy. Remember: “Freud put the anal in psychoanalysis” !

4. The phallic stage This takes place between the ages of 3 and 5. The idea of the Oedipus Complex is central to this stage (as is the Electra Complex). A boy at this stage will desire his mother and fear being castrated by his father, his competitor. Resolving this Complex is related to identification with the opposite sex parent and the taking on of their moral standards.

5. The latent and genital stages The latent stage is a stage where sexuality is latent. It takes place between the ages of 7 and 12. Do you agree? After twelve years, one enters the genital stage of development.