What characterizes the latent stage of psychosexual development?

The latent stage of psychosexual development, as defined by Freud, typically occurs between the ages of approximately 6 years and puberty. During this stage, sexual feelings are largely suppressed or repressed. Children redirect their energies towards social interactions and developing skills, allowing them to form friendships and build competencies outside of their instinctual sexual impulses observed in earlier stages.

This repression of earlier conflicts is an essential characteristic of the latent stage, as it allows the child to focus on their social environment and engage in learning processes without the distraction of sexual urges. The conflicts and motives from the previous latency stage are not actively explored or expressed; instead, the child learns to navigate social relationships, which helps in forming a healthy social identity and contributes to personal development.

While skill development and exploration of the social environment are significant activities during this stage, they stem from the repression of earlier conflicts rather than representing the core essence of this developmental period. Thus, the correct understanding emphasizes the role of repression and the shift to a phase where sexuality is not the primary focus.