A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

During which developmental stage does Freud believe children develop a strong sexual identity?

1. Latent stage

2. Genital stage

3. Anal stage

4. Oedipal stage

The correct answer is: Genital stage

Freud posits that the Genital stage, which typically occurs from puberty onwards, is crucial for the development of a strong sexual identity. This stage is characterized by the budding of sexual feelings and the maturation of sexual interests. Individuals in this stage move beyond the earlier stages of psychosexual development—such as the Oedipal and Anal stages—and begin to seek the fulfillment of desires through relationships with others, rather than through the family dynamics that dominated the earlier stages. In the Genital stage, there is a focus on heterosexual relationships and the capacity for love, which is facilitated by a balance of the needs of the individual and consideration for others. This development of sexual identity is rooted in the resolutions of past conflicts from earlier stages, where children learn to channel their sexual urges appropriately. In contrast, the other stages—such as the Latent stage, which focuses more on social skills and developing mastery in various areas, the Anal stage, which deals with issues of control and organization, and the Oedipal stage, which involves complex relationships with parents—do not specifically concentrate on sexual identity in the same way. Thus, the Genital stage is clearly aligned with Freud's views on the emergence of a mature sexual identity and interpersonal relationships.