Identify the correct order of Freud's five stages from birth to adolescence.

• A. Oral stage, Anal stage, Phallic stage, Latency stage, Genital stage
• B. Oral, Phallic, Anal, Genital, Latency
• C. Anal, Oral, Latency, Phallic, Genital
• D. Genital, Latency, Oral, Anal, Phallic

Answer: (A)

Freud’s stages unfold in a fixed sequence from infancy through adolescence, with each stage tied to a different erogenous zone and set of developmental tasks. The order is Oral (birth to about 18 months) focusing on feeding and mouth sensations; then Anal (about 18 months to 3 years) centered on toilet training and control; then Phallic (roughly 3 to 6 years) involving awareness of genitals and early gender identity; followed by Latency (about 6 years to puberty) a period of relative calm where sexual energies are sublimated into learning and social skills; and finally Genital (puberty onward) where mature sexual relationships and reproduction become the focus.

This sequence is essential because each stage represents a distinct phase of dependence and skill development that builds on the previous one. Deviating from this order, such as placing the Phallic stage before Anal or Genital before Latency, would contradict the developmental progression Freud proposed, making the other options inconsistent with the theory.