DISS 12 Name___________________________________ Score ____________ Prefinals

Lesson 2
Theories of Personality
Psychosexual Development Theory
Freud proposed that personality development in childhood takes place during five psychosexual stages, which are the oral, anal,
phallic, latency, and genital stages. During each stage sexual energy (libido) is expressed in different ways and through different parts of
the body.
These are called psychosexual stages because each stage represents the fixation of libido (roughly translated as sexual drives or
instincts) on a different area of the body. As a person grows physically certain areas of their body become important as sources of
potential frustration (erogenous zones), pleasure or both.
Oral Stage (Birth to 1 year)
In the first stage of psychosexual development, the libido is centered in a baby's mouth. During the oral stages, the baby gets
much satisfaction from putting all sorts of things in its mouth to satisfy the libido, and thus its id demands.  Which at this stage in life are
oral, or mouth orientated, such as sucking, biting, and breastfeeding. 
Freud said oral stimulation could lead to an oral fixation in later life.  We see oral personalities all around us such as smokers,
nail-biters, finger-chewers, and thumb suckers.  Oral personalities engage in such oral behaviors, particularly when under stress.
Anal Stage (1 to 3 years)
During the anal stage of psychosexual development, the libido becomes focused on the anus, and the child derives great pleasure
from defecating.  The child is now fully aware that they are a person in their own right and that their wishes can bring them into conflict
with the demands of the outside world (i.e., their ego has developed). 
Early or harsh potty training can lead to the child becoming an anal-retentive personality who hates mess, is obsessively tidy,
punctual and respectful of authority.  They can be stubborn and tight-fisted with their cash and possessions.
Phallic Stage (3 to 6 years)
The phallic stage is the third stage of psychosexual development, spanning the ages of three to six years, wherein the infant's
libido (desire) centers upon their genitalia as the erogenous zone. The child becomes aware of anatomical sex differences, which sets in
motion the conflict between erotic attraction, resentment, rivalry, jealousy and fear which Freud called the  Oedipus complex (in boys)
and the Electra complex (in girls). 
This is resolved through the process of identification, which involves the child adopting the characteristics of the same sex parent.

Latency Stage (6 years to puberty)

The latency stage is the forth stage of psychosexual development, spanning the period of six years to
puberty. During this stage the libido is dormant and no further psychosexual development takes place
(latent means hidden). 
Freud thought that most sexual impulses are repressed during the latent stage, and sexual energy can
be sublimated towards school work, hobbies, and friendships. 
Much of the child's energy is channeled into developing new skills and acquiring new knowledge, and
play becomes largely confined to other children of the same gender.
Genital Stage (puberty to adult)
The genital stage is the last stage of Freud's psychosexual theory of personality development, and begins in puberty.   It is a time
of adolescent sexual experimentation, the successful resolution of which is settling down in a loving one-to-one relationship with another
person in our 20's. Sexual instinct is directed to heterosexual pleasure, rather than self-pleasure like during the phallic stage. 
For Freud, the proper outlet of the sexual instinct in adults was through heterosexual intercourse.  Fixation and conflict may
prevent this with the consequence that sexual perversions may develop. 
For example, fixation at the oral stage may result in a person gaining sexual pleasure primarily from kissing and oral sex, rather
than sexual intercourse.

Defense Mechanism
In psychoanalytic theory, any of a group of mental processes that enables the mind to reach compromise solutions to conflicts that
it is unable to resolve. The process is usually unconscious, and the compromise generally involves concealing from oneself internal drives
or feelings that threaten to lower self-esteem or provoke anxiety.
Denial Kaila refuses to admit she has an alcohol problem although she is unable to
Refusing to accept real events because they are go a single day without drinking excessively.
unpleasant
Displacement During lunch at a restaurant, Mark is angry at his older brother, but does not
Transferring inappropriate urges or behaviors onto a express it and instead is verbally abusive to the server.
more acceptable or less threatening target
Projection Chris often cheats on her boyfriend because she suspects he is already
Attributing unacceptable desires to others cheating on her.
Rationalization Kim failed his history course because he did not study or attend class, but he
Justifying behaviors by substituting acceptable reasons told his roommates that he failed because the professor didn’t like him.
for less-acceptable real reasons
Reaction Formation Nadia is angry with her coworker Beth, for always arriving late to work after
Reducing anxiety by adopting beliefs contrary to your a night of partying, but she is nice and agreeable to Beth and affirms the
own beliefs partying as “cool.”
Regression After failing to pass his doctoral examinations, Giorgio spends days in bed
 Returning to coping strategies for less mature stages of cuddling his favorite childhood toy.
development.
Repression Shea cannot remember her grandfather’s fatal heart attack, although she was
Suppressing painful memories and thoughts present.
Sublimation Jerome’s desire for revenge on the drunk driver who killed his son is
Redirecting unacceptable desires through socially channeled into a community support group for people who’ve lost loved
acceptable channels ones to drunk driving.

DISS -page 2 of 2- Prefinals

Psychosocial Development Theory
Psychosocial development theory is an expansion of Sigmund Freud’s original five stages of development. Erikson, a 20th-century
psychologist and psychoanalyst, formulated the eight-stage life cycle theory in 1959 on the supposition that the environment plays a critical role
in self-awareness, adjustment, human development and identity.
He asserts in his psychosocial theory that ego identity is reached by facing goals and challenges throughout eight stages of development
over the entire life cycle. Each of the psychosocial stages is distinguished by two opposing emotional forces, known as contrary dispositions
that result in a crisis that needs to be resolved. Each crisis must be mastered as swiftly as possible, otherwise, a person’s psychology is in
jeopardy. However, a successful resolution of the conflict results in a healthy personality and the attainment of a basic virtue. The ego uses these
character strengths to resolve subsequent crises.
1. Trust vs. Mistrust
The first stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development starts at birth and continues to approximately 18 months of age. The principal
task is trust versus mistrust. Infants rely solely upon their caregivers; thus, if caregivers are responsive and sensitive to their infant’s needs, it
helps the infant develop a sense of trust. Apathetic caregivers who do not meet their baby’s needs may cause the baby to develop feelings of
anxiety, fear and mistrust and see the world as unpredictable. Basic virtue developed: hope.
2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
The second stage occurs between the ages of 1½ and 3 years. If a child is allowed to develop at their own pace during this stage, they
can acquire self-reliance and self-confidence. However, if parents are inconsistent, overcritical, or overprotective, the child may doubt their
ability to control themselves and their world. Basic virtue developed: will
3. Initiative vs. Guilt
The third of Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development arises during the preschool stage, 3-5 years of age. A child can develop
initiative through social interactions, and by planning and commencing in play and other activities. If the child’s pursuits fail or are criticized,
feelings of self-doubt and guilt may arise. Basic virtue developed: purpose.
4. Industry vs. Inferiority
The fourth stage occurs from ages 5 to 12 years. During this period, a child begins to compare themselves with peers. The child learns to
be productive and to accept the evaluation of his or her efforts, and in turn, can develop a sense of accomplishment and pride in their academic
work, sports, social activities and home life. If a child feels they do not measure up, feelings of inferiority or incompetence may be established.
Basic virtue developed: competency.
5. Identity vs. Role Confusion
The fifth stage of psychosocial development is marked by an adolescent identity crisis. Between the ages of 12-18, an individual
develops a sense of self by experimenting with a variety of social roles. An adolescent who is successful at forming a cohesive, positive identity
will have a strong sense of identity, whereas adolescents who do not search for an identity or are pressured into an identity may experience role
confusion and develop a weak sense of self. Basic virtue developed: fidelity.
6. Intimacy vs. Isolation
The sixth stage extends from late adolescence to early middle age, 18 to 40. A strong sense of self must be developed in adolescence in
order to create intimate relationships with others during this stage. Adults who lack a positive self-concept may experience emotional isolation or
loneliness.
To avoid feeling isolated or alone, individuals must learn to not lose themselves when sharing or caring for others. Gaining a strong self-
identity allows an individual to achieve true intimacy, whereas identity diffusion can be a challenge. Basic virtue developed: love.
7. Generativity vs. Stagnation
Also called generativity versus self-absorption, the seventh stage in Erikson’s psychosocial development theory occurs during the ages
of 40-65. During middle adulthood, individuals have a positive goal of generativity. In most cases, this results in procreation, along with the
fulfillment of parental and social responsibilities. This is in strict contrast to interest in the self or self-absorption. Basic virtue developed: care.
8. Integrity vs. Despair
The final stage of psychosocial development theory during old age (65+) is a period when a person reflects on life. One can either
develop a sense of satisfaction of their life and approach death with peace or develop a sense of despair over missed opportunities and wasted
time, leaving the individual to approach death with dread. Basic virtue developed: wisdom.
A. Determine the kind of defense mechanism shown in each situation.
1. A mother who unconsciously hates her child treats him lovingly outside.
2. Pamela refuses to believe that she has gained 70 in her final grade.
3. Sam has a crush on someone by she tells everyone that her friend is the one who has the crush on that handsome boy.
4. Rizza is unable to recall that she was rejected by the handsome boy.
5. Carrie talks like a child in front of her crush.
6. Victoria unconsciously hits her younger sister because she was scolded by her teacher for improper uniform.
7. In a role play, Cassie is given the protagonist role because she is naturally kind, quiet and sweet as a person.
8. Gary got rejected by Karina and says that he is only using Karina for popularity and everything was a betting game.
9. A man who yells at his dog when he's upset with his girlfriend is experiencing _____.
10. A runner who trains twice as hard after suffering a big loss in a race is experiencing _____.
B. Provide what is being asked.
1. The correct order of the stages of psychosexual development is
2. Freud's conception of the conflicts arising in the phallic stage is problematic because _________________________.
3. Erikson's infancy to birth stage is called what?
4. At each stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, people experience _______ that serves as a turning point.
5. Erikson believed that people move through a series of _______ psychosocial stages throughout the lifespan.
6. The crisis that arises in young adulthood is concerned with:
7. How many stages are in the psycho-social theory?
8. What do people face during each psychosocial stage that can serve as a turning point in development?
 9. If a child struggles to do well in school, what problem might emerge?
10. According to Erikson, what is the major conflict faced during adolescence?
11. Integrity vs. Despair occurs in which age group/stage?
12. According to Erikson's Psychosocial Stages of Development, which stage describes a child who needs to learn important academic skills
and compare favorably with peers in school to achieve competence?
13. A 38-year-old woman quits her high-paying marketing job to focus on her children and become a school counselor. What stage would
Erikson consider this to be:
14. Successful completion of Erickson's 8th stage of psychosocial development results in which of the following virtues?
15. When a child is constantly told by their parents that they cannot do something, this is a negative outcome of which stage of
development?
C. Using this link https://psycho-tests.com/test/freud-personality-test, take the Freudian personality test and discuss the result of your test and
your realization of the outcome. `
END