According to Freud, which of the following are the three primary psychosexual stages that determine adult personality?

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Prepare for the MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The three primary psychosexual stages that Freud proposed as significant for determining adult personality are the oral, anal, and phallic stages. Each of these stages corresponds to different developmental focus areas and conflicts that can influence an individual’s personality traits in adulthood.

The oral stage occurs in infancy, where pleasure centers on the mouth. If an individual experiences fixation at this stage, they may develop traits related to dependency or aggression. The anal stage follows, centered around toilet training and control, which can lead to traits of orderliness or messiness depending on how conflicts during this stage are resolved. Finally, the phallic stage, which occurs in early childhood, involves the Oedipus complex and the identification with same-gender parents, influencing one's sense of sexuality and morality.

Together, these stages of development form a foundational aspect of Freudian psychoanalytic theory regarding personality development, illustrating how early experiences play a crucial role in shaping adult behavior and tendencies.