Psychosexual development is a theory proposed by Sigmund Freud that outlines how personality develops through a series of stages during childhood. According to Freud, these stages are centered around different erogenous zones, where the child's focus of pleasure shifts as they grow. The stages include the oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital stages, each associated with specific conflicts and challenges. Freud believed that experiences during these stages significantly influence adult personality and behavior. Successful navigation of each stage leads to a well-adjusted individual, while unresolved conflicts can result in psychological issues later in life.