Childhood experiences

• according to Freud, what shapes our personality?

  childhood
• where does psychological development in childhood take place?

  psychosexual stages
• how does libido link to the psychosexual stages?

  each stage represents the fixation of libido in a different area of the body
• what do problems at any stage result in?

  fixation at body part associated with stage
• what does fixation do to a person?

  have long-lasting effect on personality
• how does fixation occur?

  frustration or overindulgence
• what is frustration?

  the need of the child not being met so child is unsatisfied
• what is overindulgence?

  the needs of the child have been more than satisfied so child becomes comfortable & reluctant to move onto next stage
• what is the example for childhood experiences?

  psychosexual development & the adult personality
• what are the 5 psychosexual stages?

  oral

  anal

  phallic

  latency

  genital
• what age is the oral stage?

  0-18 months
• where is the libido fixated at the oral stage?

  mouth
• what does frustration at the oral stage lead to?

  oral aggressive personality = pessimistic, envious, sarcastic
• what does overindulgence at the oral stage lead to?

  oral receptive personality = optimistic, too trusting, smoker, needy
• what happens if the conflict is resolved in the oral stage?

  formation of healthy relationships, accept affection from others & can enjoy food & drink
• what age is the anal stage?

  18 months - 3 yrs
• where is the libido fixated during the anal stage?

  anus
• what does frustration at the anal stage lead to?

  anal retentive personality = stubborn, possessive, stingy (inability to give parents desired bowel movements)
• what does overindulgence at the anal stage lead to?

  anal repulsive personality = generous, messy, disorganised
• what happens when the conflict is resolved at the anal stage?

  able to deal with authority, can balance between organised & messy
• what age is the phallic stage at?

  3 - 5 years
• where is the libido fixated during the phallic stage?

  genitals
• what are the two different fixations?

  Oedipus complex (boys)

  Electra complex (girls)
• what is the Oedipus complex?

  • conflict arises when boy developed sexual desires for mother
  • boy thinks if father discovers desires he will be castrated
  • boy identifies with father, imitating masc behaviours, internalises super ego = conflict resolved
• what is the Electra complex?

  • conflict arises when girl develops sexual desires for father
  • realises she doesn't have penis (penis envy), blames mother for castration
  • represses desires for father
  • subs penis for baby
  • identifies with mother, internalises super ego = conflict resolved
• if conflict ISN'T resolved during the phallic stage what can this lead to?

  phallic character = reckless, self-assured, harsh superego

  develops problems with sex/sexual identity = homosexuality