What is the term used for sublimation of libido according to Freud?

The term that Freud used to describe the sublimation of libido is best associated with the latency period, which occurs from approximately ages 6 to puberty. During this phase, Freud suggested that sexual urges are subdued as children focus on developing social skills, building friendships, and engaging in intellectual pursuits. This is when the energies related to the libido are redirected or sublimated into socially acceptable activities.

While the other stages—oral, phallic, and genital—are important in Freud's psychosexual development theory, they each represent distinct developmental phases in terms of the expression of sexual and aggressive instincts. The oral stage focuses on gratification through the mouth, the phallic stage revolves around the Oedipus complex and the development of sexual identity, and the genital stage represents the maturation of sexual orientation in adulthood. In contrast, the latency period is characterized by a lack of overt sexual interests and a more subdued form of libido expression, aligning precisely with the concept of sublimation.