The idea of an oral fixation was first theorized by Sigmund Freud. This quiz will test you on some of the details of Freud's theory.
To learn more about this psychological concept, review the accompanying lesson titled Oral Fixation: Definition & Explanation. This lesson covers the following objectives:
A fixation is a persistent focus on an earlier psychosexual stage. Until this conflict is resolved, the individual will remain "stuck" in this stage. A person who is fixated at the oral stage, for example, may be over-dependent on others and may seek oral stimulation through smoking, drinking, or eating.
During the oral stage, the infant's primary source of interaction occurs through the mouth, so the rooting and sucking reflex is especially important. The mouth is vital for eating, and the infant derives pleasure from oral stimulation through gratifying activities such as tasting and sucking.
One important thing to note is that contemporary psychoanalytic theories of personality development have incorporated and emphasized ideas about internalized relationships and interactions and the complex ways in which we maintain our sense of self into the models that began with Freud .
According to the famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, children go through a series of psychosexual stages that lead to the development of the adult personality. His theory described how personality developed over the course of childhood. While Freud's theory of personality development is well-known in psychology, ...
An erogenous zone is characterized as an area of the body that is particularly sensitive to stimulation.
The term Electra complex has been used to describe a similar set of feelings experienced by young girls. Freud, however, believed that girls instead experience penis envy . Eventually, the child begins to identify with the same-sex parent as a means of vicariously possessing the other parent.
As with the other psychosexual stages, Freud believed that it was possible for children to become fixated or "stuck" in this phase. Fixation at this stage can result in immaturity and an inability to form fulfilling relationships as an adult. Industry vs. Inferiority During Child Development.
Erikson's Theory. The fifth stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development is the identity versus role confusion stage. It occurs during adolescence, from about 12 to 18 years. During this stage, adolescents develop a personal identity and a sense of self.
Like Freud, Erikson recognized the importance of the unconscious on development. He also believed that personality develops in a series of predetermined stages. Unlike Freud’s theory of psychosexual stages, Erikson’s theory describes the impact of social experience across the whole lifespan. Let's compare and contrast these two theories by looking ...
Sigmund Freud's psychosexual theory and Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory are two well-known theories of development. While he was influenced by Freud's ideas, Erikson's theory differed in a number of important ways. Like Freud, Erikson recognized the importance of the unconscious on development. He also believed that personality develops in ...
During the preschool and early elementary years, Freud's theory was much more concerned with the role of the libido while Erikson's theory was more focused on how children interact with parents and peers.
Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, international bestselling author and host of the The Verywell Mind Podcast. Sigmund Freud's psychosexual theory and Erik Erikson's ...
The two theories of development both focus on the importance of early experiences, but there are notable differences between Freud's and Erikson's ideas. Freud centered on the importance of feeding, while Erikson was more concerned with how responsive caretakers are to a child's needs.
Freud's Theory. The third stage of psychosexual development is known as the phallic stage. 5 In this stage, the libido's energy is focused on the genitals. Children become aware of their anatomical sex differences which leads boys to experience the Oedipus complex while girls experience the Electra complex .