Definition: "The oral stage is the first stage of Freud’s stages of psychosexual development, lasting from birth to 18 months. According to Freud, the mouth is the primary erogenous zone through which pleasure is derived. The major conflict issue during this stage is the weaning process, during which the child is forced to become less dependent upon caretakers. A fixation at this stage can result in problems with dependency or aggression." (About.com).
I was a biter. Everytime I saw something that was new or unusual I would pop it in my mouth and CHEW! My teeth as well as tongue had to grasp the concept of the thing I was discovering. This was the way I, along with so many other infants, chose to learn the ways of the world. But I might have bitten too much. As an adult, and especially after learning about fixations and their later problems, I have realized that I always need to have something in my mouth to chew on (be it a pen or gum, etc...). My fixation as a child probably promotes this pleasure principle within me on an unconcious level.
Not only that, but I think biting, and that level of agression as a child, has helped me with anger issues today. I guess I got them out when I was younger, so I no longer am as aggressive or physical as used to be. The oral stage worked to my benefit in this case.
Anal Stage--
Definition: "The anal stage is the second stage of Freud’s stages of psychosexual development, lasting from age 18 months to three years. According to Freud, the anus is the primary erogenous zone and pleasure is derived from controlling bladder and bowl movement. The major conflict issue during this stage is toilet training. A fixation at this stage can result in a personality that is too rigid or one that is too disordered." (About.com).
As a child in this stage, my parents we very open and relaxed with regards to potty training. They would let me go whenever, wherever and only led me to the toilet later on in this phase. I have never been very organized or super-punctual, and my late developments in the anal stage are probably precursers to this. I tend to forget things, and am disordered in general life, which reflects just how I was trained to go pee or poop: in a "whatever" manner. Oh well!
Phallic Stage--
Definition: "The phallic stage is the third stage of Freud’s stages of psychosexual development, lasting from age three years to six years. According to Freud, the genitals are the primary erogenous zone and pleasure is derived from genital stimulation. The primary conflict at this stage is a desire to possess the opposite-sex parent. Completion of this stage results in identifying with the same-sex parent." (About.com).
I don't particularly remember this phase of my life, but I do know that it happens. My cousin, when he was little, used to sit in his yard, naked, and fondle himslef for hours. This didn't involve any sexual arousal and it wasn't intended to be inappropriate, but he was just curious about his genitalia, and something gave him pleasure, or else he wouldn't have done that.
I do, however, remember being really close to my mom at this stage. But it wasn't due to a desire to want her in any way, it was just a feeling of competent protection that she gave me that made me so attached. However, it did fade with the years, as it should normally.
Latency Stage--
Definition: The latency stage is the fourth stage of Freud's psychosexual development theory. It is a period of relative calm where sexual and aggressive drives are less active and there is little in the way of psychosexual conflict. It lasts between the age of six to and sometimes through puberty. The primary focus of desires is other people (friends and the opposite sex).
In kindergarten, during my early latency stage, a group of my friends and I would go into an oversized tire and play "the kissing game" where the boys would try to kiss the girls, and we got pleasure from each other's... company. All through elementary school my life was about socializing and getting to know other tykes on the playground (who cared about academics or other pleasures?!). And whoever had the most friends was the most populer, right?! It was all about other people and there wasn't much psychosexual activity going on (unless it was in the tires. Just joking--).
Genital Stage--
Definition: "The genital stage is the fifth and final stage of Freud’s stages of psychosexual development that begins during puberty. During this stage, the individual develops a strong interest in the opposite sex. If the other psychosexual stages have been successfully completed, the individual will develop into a well-balanced, warm, and caring adult." (About.com)
Apart from the tire incidents (which weren't sexual at all), my attraction towards th opposite sex really developed during the past few years of my life. Ever since the start of puberty (which I know I am still going through) I have been more and more interested in girls. I have had girlfriends to help satisfy that desire, and I think it has been healthy for me (because girlfriends keep guys in line by controlling their pleasures and helping them foster an important relationship). Although I am not quite through with this stage yet, I do believe I will turn out fine due to my experiences and way of life up until the end of the psychosexual stages.
Sources:
"Psychosexual Development." About.com. http://psychology.about.com/od/ theoriesofpersonality/ss/psychosexualdev.htm
"Oral Stage", "Anal Stage", "Phallic Stage", "Latency Stage", "Genital Stage" (Pictures). Making the Modern World. http://www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk/learning_modules/psychology/ 02.TU.04/?section=12
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