Which Freud stage describes the genitals as the pleasure zone and includes the Oedipus and Electra complexes?

• A. Oral
• B. Phallic
• C. Anal
• D. Genital

Answer: (B)

The phallic stage is the period in Freud’s theory when the genitals are the primary source of pleasure, roughly ages 3 to 6. It’s also when the Oedipus complex (for boys) and the Electra complex (for girls) are said to occur, as the child experiences affection for the opposite‑sex parent and rivalry with the same‑sex parent. The tension is resolved through identification with the same‑sex parent, which helps develop the superego and gender identity. This stage is distinct from the earlier oral stage, where pleasure centers on the mouth, or the anal stage, with a focus on bowel/bladder control, and from the later genital stage, where sexual interests mature during puberty. So the description fits the phallic stage.