Page 11 - Class Portfolio2019

UNIT I
PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION

MODULE 4
Theories of Development:
FREUD’S PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY

Objectives:

At the end of this Module, we can be able to:
 Explain Freud’s views about child and adolescent development.
 Draw implications of Freud’s theory to education.

“The EGO is not master in its own house”
- SIGMUND FREUD

Freud's views about human development are more than a century old. He can be
considered the most well-known psychologist because of his very interesting theory about the
unconscious and also about sexual development. Although a lot of his views are criticized and
some considered them debunked, (he himself recanted some of his earlier views). Freud's theory
remains to be one of the most influential in psychology. His theory sparked the ideas in the
brilliant minds of the other theorist and thus became the starting point of many other theories.

FREUD’S STAGES OF PSYCHOSEXUAL DEVELOPMENT

Freud is the most popular psychologist that studied the development of personality, also
probably the most controversial. His theory of psychosexual development includes five distinct
stages.

The theory is quite interesting for many because Freud identified specific EROGENOUS
ZONES for each stage of development. These are specific “pleasure areas” that become focal
points for the particular stage. If needs are not met along the area, a fixation occurs.

ORAL STAGE (Birth to 18 months)

The erogenous zone is the mouth. During this stage, the child is focused on oral pleasures
(sucking) too much or too little satisfaction can lead to an Oral Fixation or Oral Personality which
is shown in an increased focus on oral activities.
This type of personality may be:

 Oral receptive, that is, have a stronger tendency to smoke, drink alcohol, overeat
 Oral aggressive, that is, with a tendency to bite his or her nails, or use curse words or
even gossip.

As a result, these persons may become too dependent on others, easily fooled, and lack
leadership traits.

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