Which Freudian stage is associated with a period of dormancy of sexual feelings?

Which Freudian stage is associated with a period of dormancy of sexual feelings?

• A. Oral
• B. Latency
• C. Phallic
• D. Genital

Answer: (B)

During the latency stage, sexual energy is quiet and is redirected into growth of skills, friendships, and learning. This period, roughly from childhood into early adolescence, is marked by a dormancy of sexual feelings, allowing other areas of development to take center stage. That makes the latency phase the best fit for the idea of a lull in sexual interest. For context, the earlier oral stage centers on mouth-related pleasures in infancy; the phallic stage brings conscious sexual curiosity and the emergence of the Oedipus/Electra dynamics; and the genital stage, starting at puberty, marks the reawakening and maturation of sexual interests. The latent period uniquely describes that interval of relative sexual calm.

During the latency stage, sexual energy is quiet and is redirected into growth of skills, friendships, and learning. This period, roughly from childhood into early adolescence, is marked by a dormancy of sexual feelings, allowing other areas of development to take center stage. That makes the latency phase the best fit for the idea of a lull in sexual interest.

For context, the earlier oral stage centers on mouth-related pleasures in infancy; the phallic stage brings conscious sexual curiosity and the emergence of the Oedipus/Electra dynamics; and the genital stage, starting at puberty, marks the reawakening and maturation of sexual interests. The latent period uniquely describes that interval of relative sexual calm.