Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) Early Childhood Education Practice Test

Freud's theory of psychosexual development focuses on which three key stages?

1. Oral, Anal, and Phallic stages

2. Phallic, Latency, and Genital stages

3. Anal, Pre-latent, and Latency stages

4. Oral, Phallic, and Genital stages

The correct answer is: Oral, Anal, and Phallic stages

Freud's theory of psychosexual development outlines a series of stages through which he believed children progress, influencing their personality and behavior later in life. The key stages defined in the correct answer are the Oral, Anal, and Phallic stages. During the Oral stage, which occurs from birth to about 18 months, infants derive pleasure primarily through oral activities such as sucking and biting. This stage is critical for developing trust and comfort. The Anal stage follows, roughly occurring between the ages of 18 months and 3 years, where children experience pleasure from controlling bladder and bowel movements. This stage is pivotal for developing autonomy and self-control. Finally, the Phallic stage occurs from approximately ages 3 to 6, during which children begin to become aware of their bodies and the differences between genders. This stage is particularly important in forming their gender identity and understanding societal roles. These stages highlight the psychosocial conflict that must be resolved at each point, shaping the individual's personality as they grow. Other options present stages that either omit key elements of Freud's original theory or introduce stages that do not align correctly with his model, thus reinforcing the importance of Oral, Anal, and Phallic as foundational elements in his theory of psychosexual development.