Genital stage

Genital stage

The genital stage in psychology is the term used by Sigmund Freud to describe the final stage of human psychosexual development. According to Freud's theories, this stage begins at puberty and constitutes mature adult sexuality.

Female sexuality and criticism of Freud's theories

Freud believed that at this stage, female sexuality shifted from being clitoris-centric to being vagina-centric. There is considerable criticism of this theory, as it portrays adult women who continue to enjoy and orgasm from clitoral stimulation as not having reached full sexual maturity.

ee also

* Psychosexual development
** Oral stage
** Anal stage
** Phallic stage
* Vaginal versus clitoral orgasms


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  • genital stage — in psychoanalytic theory, the last stage in psychosexual development, occurring during puberty, during which the person can achieve sexual gratification from genital to genital contact and is capable of a mature relationship with a person of the… …   Medical dictionary

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  • genital phase — noun (psychoanalysis) the fifth sexual and social stage in a person s development occurring during adolescence; interest focuses on sexual activity • Syn: ↑genital stage • Topics: ↑psychoanalysis, ↑analysis, ↑depth psychology • …   Useful english dictionary

  • Genital — Pertaining to the external and internal organs of reproduction. (Not to be confused with genetic.) * * * 1. Relating to reproduction or generation. 2. Relating to the primary female or male sex organs or genitals. 3. Relating to or characterized… …   Medical dictionary

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  • Stage — The extent of a cancer, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. See also staging. * * * 1. A period in the course of a disease; a description of the extent of involvement of a disease process… …   Medical dictionary

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