Which Freudian stage occurs between ages 3 and 6?

• A. Oral stage (0-1)
• B. Anal stage (1-3)
• C. Latency stage (6-12)
• D. Phallic stage (3-6)

Answer: (D)

Freud describes development as a sequence of stages where the focus of pleasure shifts with age. In the three- to six-year range, the focus is the phallic stage, where curiosity about bodies and differences between sexes becomes prominent. This stage also features the emergence of gender identity and the beginnings of moral development through identification with the same-sex parent, which helps form the superego.

This fits the timeframe because the earlier stages—oral (0–1 year, about feeding and mouth sensations) and anal (1–3 years, about toilet training and control)—occur earlier, while the later latency stage (around 6–12 years) centers less on sexual exploration and more on social and school-related development.