Freud’s conception of a ‘polymorphous perverse’ infantile sexuality in the Three Essays emerges from his radical deconstruction of the traditional view of sexuality as a biological ‘instinct’ to reproduce. What are some of the key characteristics and gains of the Freudian view of sexuality? What does the clinical study of `Little Hans’ have to add to this picture?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Overview of developmental childhood sexuality
3. The oral phase
4. The anal phase
5. The phallic phase
6. Clinical study of 'Little Hans'
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores Sigmund Freud's theories on infantile sexual development, specifically examining the oral, anal, and phallic phases, and evaluates their validity through the case study of 'Little Hans'.
- The Freudian concept of 'polymorphous perverse' infantile sexuality.
- Developmental stages: Oral, Anal, and Phallic phases.
- The 'Little Hans' case study as empirical evidence for Freudian theory.
- Critiques of the developmental model, including Oedipal dynamics and penis/womb envy.
Excerpt from the Book
The oral phase
The initial period of sexual development is the oral phase (or 'cannibalistic pregenital sexual organisation' (‘Three Essays’, 198)), which the infant is born into and continues employing for the first eighteen months of life. With the intake of nutrients being a primary requirement at this stage of childhood, the sexual pleasure that can be derived from feeding is an invaluable aspect of the innate infant sexuality. The distinction has not yet been drawn by the child between the external world and the boundaries of its own body, and the interaction undertaken with undiscovered surroundings is based almost entirely by touching and placing things in the mouth.
Freud writes that "sexual activity has not yet been separated from the ingestion of food, nor are opposite currents within the same activity differentiated" (ibid); it is because of this intuitive connection between feeding from the mother's breast and a satiation of hunger that the infant associates sexual pleasure with the satisfying nourishment which it enjoys as a result of doing so. The mouth is therefore the primary erotogenic zone during this developmental phase, as the baby learns to recognise the importance of being able to subsist on things which are external to it.
Freud expresses this assimilation of the external world with the appreciation of one's own physical form thus: "the object of both activities is the same; the sexual aim consists in the incorporation of the object - the prototype of a process which, in the form of identification, is later to play such an important psychological part" (ibid). Typically, the term 'object' to which Freud is referring pertains to the infant from whom the sexual attraction originates - in this instance the child finds it difficult (and in fact unnecessary) to distinguish between themselves and the external world.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the essay's core goal to examine Freudian theories of infantile sexuality and test them against the clinical study of 'Little Hans'.
2. Overview of developmental childhood sexuality: Outlines Freud's view that adult sexuality is rooted in developmental infantile stages rather than just biological puberty.
3. The oral phase: Explains the earliest developmental stage where feeding and oral stimulation serve as the primary source of sexual pleasure.
4. The anal phase: Details the transition to control over bowel movements and the development of active/passive instincts in the infant psyche.
5. The phallic phase: Describes the recognition of genitalia differences and the emergence of the Oedipus complex and castration anxiety.
6. Clinical study of 'Little Hans': Evaluates the effectiveness of the 'Little Hans' study in supporting the developmental model and addresses critical counter-arguments.
Keywords
Freud, infantile sexuality, polymorphous perversity, oral phase, anal phase, phallic phase, Little Hans, Oedipus complex, castration anxiety, Trieb, drive, penis envy, psychosexual development, psychoanalysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this essay?
The essay explores Freud's theories regarding the development of childhood sexuality and evaluates their accuracy through the clinical case study of 'Little Hans'.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The core themes include the pre-genital stages (oral, anal, phallic), the 'polymorphous perverse' nature of infants, and the psychoanalytic interpretation of childhood behaviors.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to determine if Freud’s assertions regarding infantile sexual development are successfully supported by the findings of the 'Little Hans' case study.
Which scientific method is employed?
The essay utilizes a critical literature review and a comparative analysis between Freud's theoretical model and the empirical data from the 'Little Hans' clinical notes.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines the specific stages of childhood sexual development and the subsequent critique of these theories in light of the 'Little Hans' case, including discussions on Oedipal dynamics.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Freudian theory, infantile sexuality, oral/anal/phallic phases, Little Hans, Oedipus complex, and castration anxiety.
How does the 'Little Hans' study influence the validity of Freud's theory?
The study provides specific instances of behavioral evidence that align with Freud's predictions, such as the emergence of the Oedipus complex and the preoccupation with genitalia.
What criticism does the author mention regarding 'penis envy'?
The author discusses Karen Horney's counter-argument of 'womb envy', suggesting that the male sex may harbor an unconscious desire to bear children, rather than females having an inherent jealousy of the phallus.
How does Hans' behavior relate to the anal phase?
The author suggests that Hans' focus on controlling his bowels and his fantasy about defecation represent an attempt to return to the active control characteristic of the anal stage.
- Citar trabajo
- Harry Taylor (Autor), 2012, Freud and the Polymorphous Perverse, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/207918
