Freud's Theory of Psychosexual Development

Sigmund Freud believed that as we grow up, we go through five important stages, and each stage
focuses on a different part of our body that gives us pleasure. These stages are called:

1. Oral Stage (0-1 year) – Babies discover the world through their mouths, mainly by
sucking their mother's breast or a bottle. The conflict here is when babies are weaned
(stopped from breastfeeding).
o Example:
▪ Hans (weaned without trauma) grows up healthy.
▪ Ernst (weaned too early) develops a need to chew things, like chewing
gum.
▪ Ida (left crying and hungry) becomes manipulative and addicted to things
later in life.
2. Anal Stage (1-3 years) – This stage is about learning to control bowel and bladder
movements, which is when children learn to potty train.
o Example:
▪ Hans (praise and support) grows up confident and balanced.
▪ Ernst (punished for mistakes) becomes over-controlling and afraid of
authority.
▪ Ida (no potty training support) becomes disorganized and rebellious.
3. Phallic Stage (3-6 years) – During this stage, children become aware of their bodies and
the differences between boys and girls. Boys may experience the "Oedipus Complex,"
where they want to be close to their mothers and fear their fathers. Girls may have "Penis
Envy," believing that having a penis means power.
o Example:
▪ Hans (father is present and supportive) grows up respecting both genders.
▪ Ernst (father is absent) struggles with his identity and has issues with
women.
▪ Ida (feels inferior because of "penis envy") grows up with feelings of
inferiority towards men.
4. Latency Stage (7-13 years) – Sexual feelings are hidden, and children focus on learning
new skills, making friends, and developing hobbies. There’s no real conflict in this stage.
o Example:
▪ Hans enjoys hobbies.
▪ Ernst enjoys learning at school.
▪ Ida makes new friends.
5. Genital Stage (Puberty to Death) – As puberty starts, sexual desires return. People try
to balance these desires with social rules. Developing a strong ego helps people deal with
these urges.
o Example:
▪ Hans (healthy childhood) has a balanced life with work, relationships, and
a fulfilling sex life.
▪ Ernst (struggles with his identity) suppresses his desires, leading to
difficulties with sexuality.
 ▪ Ida (weak ego and superego) focuses only on her own desires,
disregarding others’ feelings.

Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development

Erik Erikson described eight stages of psychosocial development, where we face different
challenges throughout life. At each stage, how we respond shapes our personality and
relationships.

1. Stage 1: Basic Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy: 0-2 years) – Babies learn if they can trust
the world based on their caregivers.
o Example: If a baby’s needs are met, they develop trust. If neglected, they develop
mistrust.
2. Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt (Early Childhood: 2-4 years) – Toddlers learn
independence.
o Example: If they are encouraged to explore, they gain confidence. If punished or
criticized, they feel doubt.
3. Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool: 4-5 years) – Children start to take initiative and
try new things.
o Example: If their efforts are praised, they develop initiative. If their actions are
discouraged, they feel guilty.
4. Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age: 6-12 years) – Children learn skills and
want to show their abilities.
o Example: If they succeed in school and hobbies, they feel industrious. If they fail
or get criticized, they feel inferior.
5. Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence: 13-19 years) – Teenagers try to
figure out who they are and what roles they play.
o Example: If allowed to explore, they develop a strong sense of identity. If forced
to conform, they feel confused about their roles.
6. Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood: 20-40 years) – Young adults seek
close relationships and intimacy.
o Example: If they form lasting relationships, they feel fulfilled. If they can’t
connect, they feel isolated.
7. Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood: 40-65 years) – Adults start
contributing to society and guiding the next generation.
o Example: If they feel they are making a positive impact, they experience
generativity. If they feel unimportant, they may become stagnant.
8. Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (Old Age: 65+ years) – Older adults reflect on their lives.
o Example: If they feel satisfied with their life, they feel integrity. If they regret
missed opportunities, they feel despair.

Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

Lawrence Kohlberg proposed that moral development happens in six stages, divided into three
levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional.
 1. Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment (Pre-conventional) – People avoid punishment
and follow rules because they fear consequences.
o Example: Finn doesn’t help because he fears punishment from the teacher.
2. Stage 2: Self-Interest (Pre-conventional) – People act based on what benefits them.
o Example: Mary helps Tom because she believes he might help her in the future.
3. Stage 3: Interpersonal Accord and Conformity (Conventional) – People try to please
others and conform to social norms.
o Example: Betty doesn’t intervene because she wants others to think she’s a good
person.
4. Stage 4: Authority and Social Order (Conventional) – People follow rules to maintain
social order.
o Example: The teacher steps in to stop the fight because it’s against the rules.
5. Stage 5: Social Contract (Post-conventional) – People understand that rules should be
based on fairness.
o Example: Jessie wonders if the rule against fighting is truly fair, given the
situation.
6. Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principles (Post-conventional) – People follow universal
ethical principles, like justice and compassion.
o Example: The headmaster believes that compassion and understanding should
guide decisions, even if it means breaking rules.

Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development

Jean Piaget believed that children go through four stages of cognitive development.

1. Sensorimotor Stage (Birth to 2 years) – Babies learn through sensory experiences and
physical actions. They develop object permanence (understanding that things exist even
when they can’t be seen).
o Example: A baby realizes that a hidden toy still exists.
2. Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 years) – Children start using symbols and imagination but
think in an egocentric way (they can’t understand others have different views).
o Example: A child may think that their drawing of their family shows reality, not
just symbols.
3. Concrete Operational Stage (7 to 11 years) – Children develop logical thinking and
understand concepts like conservation (things can stay the same even if their appearance
changes).
o Example: A child knows that if water is poured from a short glass to a tall one,
the amount stays the same.
4. Formal Operational Stage (12+ years) – Teenagers can think abstractly and logically
about hypothetical situations.
o Example: A teenager can think about abstract concepts like love and justice, and
make plans for the future.
Lesson 1: Freud's Theory of Psychosexual Development

Freud's theory states that as we grow, we go through five stages of psychosexual development,
each focusing on a different body part and how we experience pleasure. If something goes wrong
at any stage, it can affect us later in life. The stages are:

1. Oral Stage (0-1 year): Pleasure is focused on the mouth, like sucking. The conflict is
weaning from the mother.
2. Anal Stage (1-3 years): Pleasure comes from controlling bladder and bowel movements.
The conflict is learning potty training.
3. Phallic Stage (3-6 years): Children become aware of their bodies and sexual identity.
Boys may develop an Oedipus complex, and girls experience Penis Envy.
4. Latency Stage (7-13 years): Sexual desires are suppressed, and children focus on
developing skills and friendships.
5. Genital Stage (Puberty and beyond): Sexual desires return, and individuals seek
balanced relationships and manage the conflict between personal desires and societal
norms.

Freud believed that our unconscious mind stores early childhood memories, which influence our
behavior in adulthood.

Lesson 2: Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development

Erikson’s theory describes eight stages that everyone goes through, each involving a key
challenge to overcome. Successfully handling each challenge leads to healthy development:

1. Infancy (Trust vs. Mistrust): Babies learn whether they can trust the world, primarily
through their caregivers.
2. Early Childhood (Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt): Toddlers discover independence
and learn to control their actions.
3. Preschool Age (Initiative vs. Guilt): Children begin to take initiative and explore their
environment.
4. School Age (Industry vs. Inferiority): Children focus on learning new skills and
becoming capable.
5. Adolescence (Identity vs. Role Confusion): Teenagers explore different roles and
develop their identity.
6. Young Adulthood (Intimacy vs. Isolation): Young adults seek intimate relationships
and connections with others.
7. Adulthood (Generativity vs. Stagnation): Adults contribute to society and guide future
generations.
8. Maturity (Integrity vs. Despair): Older adults reflect on their life and either feel
satisfied or experience regret.
Lesson 3: Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development

Kohlberg’s theory explains how our moral reasoning evolves over time in six stages, grouped
into three levels:

1. Pre-conventional Level: Morality is based on avoiding punishment (Stage 1) or self-

Lesson 4: Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

Piaget’s theory outlines four stages of cognitive development that help children grow in their
thinking abilities:

1. Sensorimotor Stage (Birth to 2 years): Infants learn through their senses and motor
skills, developing object permanence (understanding that objects exist even when not
seen).
2. Pre-operational Stage (2 to 7 years): Children use symbols (like language) to represent
objects, but their thinking is still egocentric (they struggle to see things from others'
perspectives).
3. Concrete Operational Stage (7 to 11 years): Children begin to think logically about
concrete events, understanding concepts like conservation and reversibility.
4. Formal Operational Stage (12 years and beyond): Adolescents develop the ability to
think abstractly, logically, and systematically about hypothetical situations.