Final answer:
The latency period in Freud's theory of psychosexual development is characterized by dormant sexual feelings and a focus on social activities, hobbies, and sports, largely with same-gender peers, facilitating gender-role identities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Latency Stage of Psychosexual Development
The latency period in psychosexual development follows the phallic stage and spans from around 6 years of age until puberty. During the latency stage, sexual feelings are dormant as the child's focus shifts to social activities, friendships, schooling, hobbies, and sports. Typically, children will engage in pursuits with peers of the same gender, which is thought to help solidify their gender-role identity.
In the broader context of Freud's theory, the psychosexual stages define how the individual's pleasure-seeking urges from the id revolve around different areas of the body known as erogenous zones. However, the latency period marks a time of subdued sexual motivation, steering away from pleasure seeking in erogenous zones. If successful transition through this stage is achieved, as well as the succeeding genital stage, the individual is considered to be well-adjusted and healthy in Freud's view.