Main points
Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of personality and development states that specific body parts are sensitive to sexual or erotic stimulation during the childhood development phases. For example, the mouth, anus, and genital regions are sensitive to sexual stimulation. Therefore, the different phases of sexual stimulation in childhood include the oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital stages (Stevenson, 1996). One point emphasized in the article is that in all the stages, the stimulation of a specific organ occurs.
The mouth responds to stimulation through contact, which occurs from birth to toddlerhood. The child pacifies himself by sucking things because they find pleasure. A child who is not nursed at this stage may become pessimistic, envious, and suspicious. On the other hand, a child who was satisfied with the experience in the oral stage may become naïve and optimistic (Stevenson, 1996). Another point is that all the stages develop specific characters in a child. For instance, the genital stage, the last one, focuses on the child’s understanding of their genitals. This discovery helps the child form heterosexual relationships and learn to interact with other genders.
Response
I concur with Feud’s rationale that all the mentioned phases strengthen a specific character. The stages support distinct characters such as independence, love, courage, self-awareness, and integrity. From the primary stages of development, an individual develops self-copying and attack mechanisms to ensure they can accept or reject specific things in their environment. I refute a claim made under the subheading oral stage, stating that a frustrated child may become envious and suspicious (Stevenson, 1996). The reason is that deprivation makes a child adaptable to harsh conditions promoting self-dependence, strong character, and appreciation of the privileges available.
Reference
Stevenson, D. B. (1996). Freud’s psychosexual stages of development. The Victorian. Web.