oral stage
Mouth-focused development period
The oral stage is the first phase in Freudian psychosexual development, lasting from birth to about eighteen months.
During this period, an infant's pleasure centers on the mouth—sucking, biting, feeding.
Freud theorized that fixation at this stage could produce adult traits like dependency, aggression, or oral habits such as smoking and overeating.
Lactation-based infant nourishment
- nursingMedical caretaking profession
- nippleMammary projection
- latchDoor-securing catch
- pacifierInfant sucking device
bottle · suckle · lactation · colostrum · milk · formula · weaning · teething
Treatment via unconscious exploration
- fixationPersistent mental attachment
- regressionReturn to former state
- libidoInnate erotic drive
- pleasure principleDrive toward immediate gratification
id · ego · superego · unconscious · Oedipus complex · Electra complex · neurosis · introjection
Enamel-covered chewing structures
- chewingCrushing food orally
- gnawingPersistent biting action
- masticationTeeth-based food breakdown
- incisorsFront cutting teeth
teething · nipping · chomping · grinding · toddler · jaw · gums · mouthing
Forming close connections
- maternalOf or like mothers
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
- caregivingAttending to dependents
- trustConfidence in another
security · dependency · comfort · soothing · nourishment · holding · separation anxiety · secure base
breastfeeding
Lactation-based infant nourishment
pacifier · bottle · suckle · lactation · colostrum · milk · formula · weaning · teething · gumming
psychoanalysis
Treatment via unconscious exploration
- fixationPersistent mental attachment
- regressionReturn to former state
- libidoInnate erotic drive
pleasure principle · id · ego · superego · unconscious · Oedipus complex · Electra complex · neurosis · introjection · projection
teeth
Enamel-covered chewing structures
- chewingCrushing food orally
- gnawingPersistent biting action
- masticationTeeth-based food breakdown
incisors · teething · nipping · chomping · grinding · toddler · jaw · gums · mouthing
bonding
Forming close connections
- maternalOf or like mothers
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
- caregivingAttending to dependents
trust · security · dependency · comfort · soothing · nourishment · holding · separation anxiety · secure base · primary caregiver