Phallic Stage

Definition

The phallic stage is the third of Freud's psychosexual stages (from 3 to 6 years), during which pleasure focuses on the genitals. This is also when children become aware of their gender identity.

Related terms

Oedipus Complex/Electra Complex: According to Freud, during the phallic stage boys experience an Oedipus complex where they have unconscious sexual desires for their mother and see their father as a rival. For girls it's called Electra complex.

Gender Identity:

This refers to one's sense of being male or female. During the phallic stage, children start recognizing this aspect of themselves.

Castration Anxiety/Penis Envy: These are terms used by Freud to describe feelings experienced by boys (fear of losing penis) and girls (desire for a penis) respectively during the phallic stage.