What are "psychosexual stages" in Freud's theory?

Freud's concept of "psychosexual stages" pertains to distinct phases of human development that are each associated with specific erogenous zones and the conflicts that arise from them. According to Freud, these stages are crucial in shaping personality, as each stage focuses on a different area of pleasure and the successful navigation of conflicts associated with that area influences an individual's psychological development.

The psychosexual stages include the oral stage, anal stage, phallic stage, latency stage, and genital stage. During each of these stages, specific conflicts emerge that must be resolved. For instance, the oral stage emphasizes the mouth as the primary source of gratification, which relates to feeding and weaning. In contrast, the anal stage focuses on toilet training, where conflicts may center around control and authority.

Understanding these stages helps in exploring how early experiences influence mature behavior and personality traits. Thus, the correct identification as phases characterized by different erogenous zones and conflicts highlights their foundational role in Freud's theory of personality development.