I am using two experts’ theories from the field of psychosexual development and analyzing them. One being Sigmund Freud and the other are Erik Erikson.
Also I will be recalling on my own past experiences during these stages. The stages that are covered are Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency and Genital stage. Freud explains during the oral stage (birth to 18 months) if the child focuses too much on the oral pleasures (sucking) too little or too much could result in an oral fixation/oral personality. After developing this personality you tend to have a higher chance of smoking, consume alcohol, gluttony or biting nails.These types of people exert traits of being overly dependent on others, gullible and perpetual followers. They also may be able to counter act this by acting pessimistic and aggressive towards others.
During this stage Erikson labels this the trust vs. mistrust stage. It’s about the infants bond with the mother. The areas focused on are with feeding, being comforted, teething and sleeping.
Positive outcomes developed from this stage are hope and drive. Improper development during this stage can lead to sensory distortion and/or withdrawal. Reflecting from my own experience can take bits both from Freud and Erikson.Unsure whether it was too little or too much but I always tend to have either a drink or piece of food in my hand. Always searching the pantry and fridge for something to eat. Towards alcohol I don’t crave it but when I do drink I do it in high quantities.
From Erikson, I tend to have streaks where I withdraw from society and I tend to keep to myself. Freud believes during the so-called “anal stage” (18 months to 3 years) the child’s development is based on pleasure in eliminating and retaining fecal matter. Through pressures of society highly contributed by parents, children learn to control anal stimulation.Through this stage an anal fixation can occur.
On one hand they could end up having a fascination with cleanliness, perfection and must be in control. On the other hand they may become total opposite and be messy and unorganized. Erikson focuses on this stage the bond between both parents and addressing the issues of bodily functions, toilet training, muscular control, walking. He believes the strengths that are developed in this stage are willpower and self-control to become more independent.
If this transition doesn’t run smoothly negative outcomes can occur like impulsivity and compulsion.In my experience looking at Freud’s theory I turned out to be quite messy. I successfully passed this stage though being competent in toilet training, muscular control and walking. I have development willpower and self control, I am very accountable for my actions and I don’t not act impulsive I think my actions through. Freuds next stage the Phallic Stage (three to six) in which the pleasure area is now focused on the genitals.
He believed during this time boys develop an unconscious sexual desires towards their own mothers. This tends to develop a rivalry against the father and they compete for the mother’s affection and love.They also develop a fear that they will be disciplined for these actions believing they will be castrated. To have these certain feelings is known as Oedipus Complex. He also stated that girls go through the same course developing desires towards their fathers. Freud did disagree with this but coined by more recent psychoanalysts.
Freud says fearing castration and in high competition with his father he now tends to look up to the father as a role model then fight him. In doing this, he develops more man-like characteristics and classifies himself as a male. The sexual feelings towards the mother are repressed.A fixation can be developed at this stage, sexual deviancies (both overindulging and avoidance) and also a not being able to identify yourself sexually. Erikson focuses this being the pre-school era. It is a family based time where it targets the areas of exploration and discovery, adventure and play.
If this stage is completed successfully the child will develop purpose and direction, if fail to do so they will create ruthlessness and inhibition. I feel in my own experiences I was properly developed in this stage by I didn’t have any distortions, I’ve gained a sense of purpose and direction and can identify myself sexually.Freud’s next stage labeled the Latency stage (6 to puberty). In this part the sexual desires by the children are held back, therefore they mix with same sex people and neglect the other sex. Erikson states in this time frame is it based around the schoolchild and it focuses on school, teachers, friends, neighbourhood, achievement and accomplishment.
If child is successful through this stage he will be gain competence and method (being able to handle a task the right way). On the other side the negative outcomes could be narrow virtuosity (not being extremely gifted at certain things) and Inertia (remaining unchanged).I remembered during this time I hang around in big groups consisting of males and we played a lot of sports. The girls did the same, it was a case of separate but equal.
It was a time immaturity of males telling girls they sink and the girls repeating the same back. On to Freud’s final stage the Genital stage (puberty onwards). At the start of puberty the sexual needs and wishes of the person are come to realization. The previous stages have been used as a “trial and error”, last stages of being sexual primed they direct urges towards opposite sex and the pleasure center is of the genital area.
Erikson says the relationships focused in this stage are lovers, friends, work connections, peers, groups and influences. Issues to be resolved during this stage are resolving identity and direction, becoming a grown-up, intimate relationships, work and social life. If person is successful through this stage they achieve fidelity, devotion, love and affiliation. If unsuccessful a person could become to fanaticism, repudiation, promiscuity and exclusivity. In my experience throughout this stage I feel it has been definitely trial and error a lot of hard-learnt lessons and also valuable ones too.I do remember the time when I really started to notice girls it was a big adjustment and developing feelings.
This was a big step into becoming a man. Especially mid later teens as everyone was developing the hormones and testosterone was everywhere. I also developed a lot of real close friendship with the opposite sex. In conclusion both theories have some points that crossover but Erikson tends to have more of a conservative opinion, where as Freud theories are highly sexual based.
