Who developed the Theory of Psychosexual Development?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Sigmund Freud is the originator of the psychoanalytic theory of personality development, which includes the five stages of psychosexual development.
This theory proposes that personality is largely shaped by early childhood experiences and the resolution of conflicts centered on different erogenous zones.
The five stages are Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, and Genital, each associated with a specific age range and developmental focus.

Option A: Lawrence Kohlberg did not develop the theory of psychosexual development.
Option B: Jean Piaget's work was in cognitive, not psychosexual, development.
Option C: Erik H. Erikson's theory focuses on psychosocial, not psychosexual, stages.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Theories of Human Growth and Development as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding developmental theories helps nurses assess whether a patient is meeting developmental milestones appropriate for their age.
This knowledge is crucial in pediatric nursing for anticipating a child's needs and behaviors, and in psychiatric nursing for understanding the potential roots of adult neuroses and personality disorders.
What if a 4-year-old patient shows extreme anxiety and guilt about their curiosity regarding their body? A nurse familiar with Freud's phallic stage would recognize this as a potentially normal developmental conflict and could provide appropriate reassurance and guidance to the parents, rather than immediately suspecting abuse or a severe behavioral disorder.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Theory of Psychosexual Development'.
Next, scan the options, which are all names of famous developmental theorists.
Recall or deduce the primary theory associated with each theorist.
Match 'Psychosexual Development' to Sigmund Freud.
Eliminate the other options by correctly associating them with their theories: Kohlberg with Moral Development, Piaget with Cognitive Development, and Erikson with Psychosocial Development.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 1 p. 164-166

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 1051-1053

Practise the full DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.