In Freud's stages, what allows for the development of self-control?

The development of self-control occurs during the anal stage of Freud’s psychosexual stages of development, which typically takes place between the ages of 18 months and 3 years. During this stage, children begin to gain control over their bodily functions, particularly in relation to toilet training. This process requires children to learn to regulate their impulses and manage their behavior according to social expectations, which is a key aspect of developing self-control.

Successful navigation through this stage results in a sense of autonomy and competence, as children learn to balance their needs with societal rules, leading to the development of a healthy personality trait sometimes referred to as being orderly or conscientious. Conversely, if challenges arise during this stage, it may lead to issues with self-control later in life, manifesting as either an overly controlling personality or a disorganized one.

In contrast, the other stages focus more on different aspects of psychosexual development and do not specifically target the development of self-regulation in the same way the anal stage does. The oral stage centers on dependency and trust, the phallic stage addresses identification with same-sex parent and issues related to sexuality, and the genital stage involves mature relationships and sexual maturity, but none of these focus on the regulatory capacity that emerges during the anal stage