American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Practice Exam 2026 - Free ABPN Practice Questions and Study Guide

Freud's theories of human development, particularly his psychosexual stages, describe a sequence where a child's sexual energy, or libido, focuses on different erogenous zones throughout development. Each stage has specific characteristics and conflicts.

The statement regarding latency is considered false because, during the latency period (approximately ages 6 to puberty), Freud posited that sexual urges are relatively quiet. Instead of a sharp increase in sexual interest, children during this stage generally focus more on developing social skills, friendships, and interests that distract from sexual concerns. Thus, the absence of significant sexual interest characterizes the latency period, which contradicts the assertion made in that statement.

In contrast, the other statements align well with Freud's developmental theory. The idea that sexual energy shifts to different body areas is a key part of Freud's model, emphasizing the importance of erogenous zones. The timing of the anal phase, which is defined as occurring from about 1 to 3 years of age, accurately reflects its placement within Freud's psychosexual stages. Furthermore, the phallic stage occurring between ages 3 to 5 matches Freud's descriptions of that period, emphasizing the development of sexual identity and the Oedipus complex. Therefore, the only statement that inaccurately represents