Genital Stage
Definition
The final stage of Freud's psychosexual development where individuals develop a strong sexual interest in the opposite sex.
Analogy
It's like when a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. Just as the butterfly is now mature and ready to reproduce, during the genital stage, people are sexually mature and ready for adult relationships.
Related terms
Libido: A term used by Freud to describe sexual energy or drive.
Regression: A defense mechanism leading to the temporary or long-term reversion of the ego to an earlier stage of development rather than handling unacceptable impulses in a more adaptive way.
Psychoanalysis: A therapeutic technique used to explore repressed or unconscious impulses, anxieties, and internal conflicts.
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