ASWB LCSW Social Work Clinical Practice Exam

At what stage does pleasure center on the mouth?

1. Oral

2. Anal

3. Phallic

4. Genital

The correct answer is: Oral

The correct choice highlights the oral stage, which is the first of Sigmund Freud's psychosexual stages of development. During this phase, which occurs from birth to approximately 18 months, pleasure is primarily derived from activities involving the mouth, such as sucking, biting, and chewing. This stage is crucial for the infant's feeding experiences, and the interaction with caregivers during this time plays a significant role in forming the foundation for future relationships and the development of trust. The successful resolution of the oral stage leads to a sense of security and comfort, while fixation at this stage can result in issues such as dependency, aggression, or oral-related habits in later life. Understanding these stages is essential for social workers, as they provide insight into an individual's psychological development and potential behavioral concerns that may emerge later on. Other stages, such as the anal, phallic, and genital stages, focus on different pleasure centers and developmental milestones, but they do not center on the mouth as the oral stage does.