During which psychosexual stage is the focus of pleasure the mother's breast?

The correct choice is the oral stage, which is the first of Sigmund Freud's psychosexual stages of development. During this stage, which typically occurs from birth to about 18 months, an infant's primary source of interaction and pleasure is through the mouth. This interaction is often centered around feeding, where the mother's breast becomes a crucial focus of satisfaction and comfort for the infant.

In this stage, the infant engages in activities such as sucking and biting, which are essential for both nourishment and exploration. This oral fixation plays a significant role in personality development, according to Freudian theory, where issues surrounding dependency and aggression can emerge if this stage is not adequately navigated.

The other stages mentioned relate to different focal points of pleasure. The anal stage occurs later in development, where the focus shifts to bladder and bowel control, typically between 18 months and 3 years. The phallic stage follows the anal stage and is associated with the child's awareness of genital differences and developing sexual identity. Finally, the genital stage emerges during puberty, where the focus of pleasure becomes oriented towards mature sexual intimacy and relationships. Each of these stages has distinct characteristics and significance in Freudian theory, making the oral stage uniquely focused on the mother's breast as a source of