FREUD AND ERIKSON’S STAGES OF PSYCHOSEXUAL DEVELOPMENT

By Dr. Lawrence Wilson

© June 2015, L.D. Wilson Consultants, Inc.

All information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.

The chart below is from www.psychology.com. While some people challenge the idea of the stages of psychosexual or psychosocial development, many authorities in psychology acknowledge that these stages do exist.

Approximate Ages	Freud's Stages of Psychosexual Development	Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development
Birth to 1 year	Oral Stage A child's primary source of pleasure is through the mouth, via sucking, eating and tasting.	Trust vs Mistrust Children learn to either trust or mistrust their caregivers.
1-3 years	Anal Stage Children gain a sense of mastery and competence by controlling bladder and bowel movements.	Autonomy vs. Doubt Children develop self-sufficiency by controlling activities such as eating, toilet training and talking.
3-6 years	Phallic Stage The libido's energy is focused on the genitals. Children begin to identify with their same-sex parent.	Initiative vs. Guilt Children begin to take more control over their environment.
7-11 years	Latent Period The libido's energy is suppressed and children are focused on other activities such as school, friends and hobbies.	Industry vs Inferiority Children develop a sense of competence by mastering new skills.
Adolescence	Genital Stage Children begin to explore romantic relationships.	Identity vs Role Confusion Children develop a personal identify and sense of self.
Adulthood	According to Freud, the genital stage lasts throughout adulthood. He believed the goal is to develop a balance between all areas of life.	Intimacy vs Isolation Young adults seek out romantic love and companionship. Generativity vs Stagnation Middle-aged adults nurture others and contribute to society. Integrity vs Despair Older adults reflect on their lives, looking back with a sense of fulfillment or bitterness.

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