Question

When do psychosexual development and the ability to love begin?
a. at conception, with the division of the fertilized egg
b. during puberty, with growing interest in sexual expression
c. at birth, with inspection of the infant's external genitals
d. in infancy, with loving touch and handling?

Answer 1

D. A developing embryo will still develop testicles / ovaries. When the baby is born they already have their sex organs but they are just prepubescent. But this does not mean they are able to understand a concept like love. Infants mirror the behaviour they see. All infants need a surplus of physical touch to grow up well, as it allows them comfort and ease - they then at this stage learn that it is right to reciprocate these things. If the answer were B, you would be stating that 5,6,7 year olds are incapable of love as a whole. Regardless of it being infantile, young children are still able to know a certain type of love.