Psychosexual development

Definition

The theory proposed by Sigmund Freud that suggests children go through a series of stages where their focus of pleasure and sexual energy shifts from one erogenous zone to another, shaping their personality.

Related terms

Erogenous zones: Areas of the body that are particularly sensitive and can provide pleasure when stimulated.

Fixation:

When a person gets "stuck" or fixated at a particular stage of psychosexual development due to unresolved conflicts, which can impact their adult behaviors.

Oedipus complex: A concept from Freud's theory where young boys develop unconscious sexual desires for their mothers and see their fathers as rivals.