Question

Write a short note on the oral stage.

Answer 1

The oral stage, which spans from birth to around two years, is divided into two phases: the oral sucking and oral biting periods. The oral sucking phase, lasting from birth to approximately eight months, marks the beginning of the infant's experience with pleasure through the mouth. Sucking is seen as the first expression of sexual energy, though it also plays a crucial role in survival. During this stage, pleasure is centered in the mouth, and sucking offers the baby their earliest significant pleasurable experience. At this point, the infant is completely passive and dependent. As this phase progresses, the ego begins to develop gradually.