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What is a primary criticism of Freud's theory of development through the psychosexual stages?

1. It is overly simplistic

2. It is not measurable by scientific methods

3. It lacks historical context

4. It does not consider social factors

The correct answer is: It is not measurable by scientific methods

Freud’s psychosexual stages of development have been critiqued for not being measurable by scientific methods, which is a primary criticism. This critique arises from the subjective nature of Freud's concepts, where many of his ideas cannot be empirically tested or quantified. For instance, the stages such as oral, anal, or phallic development are based on Freud’s own interpretations and observations, which lack rigorous scientific validation. There is difficulty in defining specific behaviors or outcomes that can be observed or measured in a consistent way, making it hard to substantiate his claims through research that adheres to scientific standards. Moreover, Freud's reliance on case studies and introspective techniques contributes to this criticism, as they do not allow for generalizable conclusions that can be tested across different subjects with controlled methodologies. Thus, the inability to utilize empirical evidence to support his theory makes it challenging to assess its validity in the realm of scientific psychology, positioning the criticism regarding measurability as a significant issue in discussions about his developmental framework.