What psychological concept refers to a child's fixation on oral activities?

The concept that refers to a child's fixation on oral activities is fixation. In psychosexual development theory proposed by Sigmund Freud, the oral stage occurs during the first year of life, where the infant's primary source of interaction with the world is through the mouth. This stage emphasizes activities such as sucking and chewing.

If a child becomes overly reliant on or preoccupied with oral activities, it can lead to a fixation on this stage, which may manifest in behaviors such as thumb-sucking or excessive eating in later life. This fixation indicates an unresolved conflict during the oral stage of development, influencing personality traits and behaviors in adulthood.

Understanding fixation is essential in recognizing how early childhood experiences shape an individual's psychological makeup and potential behavioral patterns later in life.