In Freud's psychosexual stages, which stage is marked by a boy's rivalry with his father for his mother's affection?

In Freud's psychosexual stages, which stage is marked by a boy's rivalry with his father for his mother's affection?

• A. Phallic stage
• B. Latent
• C. Oral stage
• D. Anal stage

Answer: (A)

In the phallic stage, roughly ages 3 to 6, children become aware of their bodies and gender differences. For boys, this leads to the Oedipus complex: a strong attachment to the mother and rivalry with the father, whom they see as a rival for her affection. The tension is typically resolved when the boy identifies with the father, adopting his values and rules, which helps form the superego and solidifies gender identity. The other stages involve different types of gratification or quieter periods of development, not this father–son rivalry.

In the phallic stage, roughly ages 3 to 6, children become aware of their bodies and gender differences. For boys, this leads to the Oedipus complex: a strong attachment to the mother and rivalry with the father, whom they see as a rival for her affection. The tension is typically resolved when the boy identifies with the father, adopting his values and rules, which helps form the superego and solidifies gender identity. The other stages involve different types of gratification or quieter periods of development, not this father–son rivalry.