Psychosexual stages theory

The psychosexual stages theory, developed by Freud, suggests that human personality develops through five stages during childhood. Each stage focuses on different areas of the body that provide pleasure—such as the mouth, nerves, or genitals—and experiences during these stages influence adult personality and behavior. If a person experiences conflicts or fails to resolve issues at any stage, it may lead to habits or personality traits rooted in that stage later in life. Overall, this theory emphasizes the importance of early childhood experiences in shaping who we become.