prephallic

adj. in the classical psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud, the stages of psychosexual development preceding the phallic stage (i.e., the oral stage and the anal stage). See also pregenital phase; preoedipal.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

December 19th 2024

separation–individuation

separation–individuation

n. a developmental phase in which the infant gradually differentiates himself or herself from the mother, develops awareness of his or her separate identity, and attains relatively autonomous status. [defined by Hungarian-born U.S. child psychoanalyst Margaret Schönberger Mahler (1897–1985)]