Psychosexual Development - Psychology Definition of the Week

Definition:

Psychosexual development was a theory put forth by psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud suggesting that personality develops through a series of stages. At each stage, Freud believed that the pleasure-seeking energies of the libido are focused on different erogenous zones. According to the theory, completing each stage successfully results in a healthy adult personality. When conflicts are not resolved in a particular stage, fixations can result. Learn more about the different stages of psychosexual development.

Related Reading:

• Freud: His Life, Work, and Theories
• Quiz on Psychosexual Development

_{Image courtesy Piotr Bizior}