Theory of Freud's personality: essence, stages, description

Psychoanalysis according to Freud is based on two key assumptions. The first premise - genetic - is that the experiences that the child experiences in childhood, have a huge impact on the formation of personality in adulthood. The essence of the second premise is that a person initially has a certain amount of sexual energy - libido. It is the libido in the development of a person that passes through several stages, representing a close interconnection of instincts, psychology and sexual activity.

The hypothesis of the four stages of human development was called "Freud's theory of personality" and is of great scientific and practical interest for psychologists and doctors. According to Freud, the development of a person's personality takes place during 4 stages, each of which is discussed below.

Stage 1. Oral phase.

In the oral phase there is a baby aged from birth to one year. During this period the child is completely dependent on the mother, and feeding is the main source of pleasure. Freud's theory of personality emphasizes that in this phase, the child has only one desire - the absorption of food, and therefore the main erogenous zone is the mouth, because it is a food source and an initial examination of surrounding objects.

Stage 2. Anal phase.

The next stage of personality development is anal, which in terms of duration includes the age of the child from 12-18 months and up to the third year of life. Freud's theory of personality asserts that during this period the child begins to learn to control the physiological functions of his organism. At this time, the libido concentrates around the anus, which is now the object of the child's attention.

Children's sexuality now finds its satisfaction in having control over the functions of one's body (above all, defecation and excretion). It is important to note that according to Freud during this period the child is faced with the first prohibitions. The outside world is now for him a high barrier. Development at this stage acquires the character of conflict.

Stage 3. Phallic phase.

The new erogenous zone is manifested in a child aged from three to six years. Now the libido concentrates in the genital area. At this stage, children begin to understand and realize sexual differences. The child notices either the presence of the penis, or the absence of that.

According to Freud, at this stage the child already feels pleasure from stimulation of the genitals, however such excitation is connected with the close presence of the parents.

Stage 4. Latent period.

This period is characterized by a concession of sexual manifestations to curiosity, which is associated with the diversity of the surrounding child of the world. The period of the latent period coincides with the age of 5-12 years. Sexual activity in this period is reduced, libido is unstable, the child tries to identify his own "I".

Freud's theory of personality indicates that sexual impulses at a given period are suppressed by the ideals of aesthetics, as well as by morality, shame and disgust. At this age, personality development occurs in a combination of biological processes, as well as under the influence of culture and education.

Stage 5. Genital phase.

The transition to the last phase of personality development is accompanied by the transition of the concentration of sexual attraction, excitement and satisfaction to the genital area. Genital masturbation in this period becomes key in meeting sexual needs.

In conclusion, we note that Freud's theory of personality served as the basis for formulating the foundations of the genesis of the psyche of children: child development corresponds to the stages of displacement of the libido zones.