Which stage of Freud's theory begins around birth and continues to about 18 months?

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

Answer: (A)

Freud's first psychosexual stage is defined by the mouth as the primary source of pleasure, beginning at birth and lasting roughly until 18 months. This period centers on feeding and the experience of weaning, so the infant finds satisfaction through oral activities like sucking and biting. If fixation occurs here, it can show up later as a tendency toward oral-related behaviors or needs—such as overeating, smoking, or nail-biting—stemming from unresolved early experiences with feeding and weaning. The stage ends as weaning progresses and the child moves into the next stage, which begins around 18 months. For context, subsequent stages occur in order as the child grows: the anal stage follows, then the phallic stage, the latency period, and finally the genital stage.