According to Freud, what do psychosexual stages encompass?

The correct understanding of Freud's theory regarding psychosexual stages centers around the idea that there are five distinct stages of development every child goes through, each characterized by different focuses of pleasure and conflict. These stages—oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital—outline how personality develops through the resolution of various conflicts related to bodily functions and desires.

Freud believed that experiences during these stages influence personality development and behavior in adulthood. For instance, fixation at any stage can lead to specific personality traits based on how conflicts were managed. This structured approach helps in understanding the complexity of human behavior from a psychoanalytic perspective. The focus on five stages captures the essence of Freud's assertions about childhood development and how it impacts psychological health later in life.