Which stage follows the oral stage in Freudian theory?

• A. Anal
• B. Latency
• C. Phallic
• D. Genital

Answer: (A)

Freud’s psychosexual stages describe how a child’s pleasures shift as they grow. After the oral stage, the libido moves to the anus, creating the anal stage. This period is typically from about 18 months to 3 years and centers on toilet training—the balance between the child’s desire for immediate gratification and the demands of parental and social expectations. How a child handles this task can influence later personality, with successful navigation fostering a sense of autonomy, while difficulty can lead to traits like orderliness or rigidity (warnings of fixation) or, alternatively, a more relaxed or rebellious style.