In which psychosexual stage does toilet training provide pleasure and control?

The correct answer is the anal stage, which typically occurs between the ages of 18 months and three years. During this stage, children derive pleasure and a sense of control from the process of toilet training. The focus of pleasure shifts to controlling bowel movements, and this leads to a greater sense of autonomy and independence. Successful toilet training can foster feelings of accomplishment and competence in the child.

The anal stage is characterized by the conflict of control over bodily functions, and how this is managed can significantly impact personality development, influencing traits like orderliness and stubbornness in later life. It is a critical time for the child's development of self-discipline and autonomy.

Other stages, such as oral, phallic, and genital, focus on different sources of pleasure and conflicts, making the anal stage the most relevant in the context of control and pleasure derived from toilet training.