National Counselor Exam (NCE)

In Freud's theory of personality development, what is the correct order of the stages?

1. Phallic, latency, genital, anal, oral

2. Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital

3. Genital, latency, anal, phallic, oral

4. Anal, oral, latency, genital, phallic

The correct answer is: Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital

Freud's theory of personality development comprises five distinct stages that represent different phases of psychosocial growth and challenges during childhood. The correct sequence is indeed oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital. In the oral stage, which occurs from birth to about 18 months, infants derive pleasure from oral activities such as sucking and biting. Following this is the anal stage, where children ages 18 months to 3 years engage in activities related to bowel and bladder control, focusing on the pleasures associated with these bodily functions. The phallic stage, occurring from about ages 3 to 6, introduces children to the recognition of their own bodies and the bodies of others, often accompanied by the Oedipus or Electra complex. The latency stage, which spans from approximately age 6 to puberty, is characterized by a period of relative calm, where sexual impulses are repressed, allowing children to focus on social interactions and skill development. Finally, the genital stage begins at puberty, leading to the exploration of mature sexual relationships and the integration of the previous experiences from earlier stages into a coherent identity. Understanding this order is crucial in grasping Freud's views on how these stages influence personality development and interpersonal dynamics throughout a person's life