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Latency period
Definition:
In psychoanalysis, the latency period refers to a stage in a child's development, typically occurring between the ages of 6 and 12, during which sexual and aggressive impulses are repressed and sublimated. This phase is characterized by a focus on intellectual and social activities, as well as the consolidation of skills and knowledge, before the onset of puberty and the re-emergence of sexual drives in adolescence.
The Latency Period in Psychoanalysis
In psychoanalysis, the latency period refers to a stage in a child's development where sexual and aggressive drives are believed to be dormant or less active. This concept, introduced by Sigmund Freud, is a crucial part of his psychosexual development theory.
Key Characteristics of the Latency Period:
1. Age Range: The latency period typically occurs between the ages of 6 to 12 years, although this may vary among individuals.
2. Suppression of Sexual and Aggressive Urges: During this stage, children are thought to repress their sexual and aggressive impulses, focusing instead on developing social and intellectual skills.
3. Importance of Sublimation: Freud believed that sublimation, the redirection of forbidden impulses into socially acceptable behaviors, plays a significant role during the latency period.
4. Relationship to Later Development: The experiences and conflicts that arise during the latency period are believed to influence an individual's personality and behavior in later stages of life.
Overall, the latency period is seen as a crucial stage in a child's psychosexual development, laying the foundation for their future emotional and social adjustment.
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