Question

A person keeps his desk extremely tidy and becomes very nervous whenever things are disorganized or out of place. In which of the following stages would a psychodynamic therapist say the man had become fixated? (A) The oral stage (B) The anal stage (C) The phallic stage (D) The genital stage

Short answer

B) The anal stage

Step-by-step solution

Understand Freud's Psychosexual Stages

Sigmund Freud proposed five stages of psychosexual development: oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital. Each stage is associated with the fixation of libido on a different area of the body.

Analyze the Behavior

Identify the characteristics associated with the behavior described. The person keeps their desk extremely tidy and becomes very nervous when things are disorganized or out of place.

Match Behavior to Stage

The behavior described—meticulousness and a need for order—is typically associated with the anal stage. This stage, occurring roughly between ages 1-3, focuses on bowel and bladder control. Fixation at this stage can lead to anal-retentive behaviors in adulthood, such as excessive tidiness and orderliness.

Choose the Correct Stage

Based on the analysis, the fixation related to extreme tidiness matches the characteristics of the anal stage. Therefore, the correct answer is (B) The anal stage.

Key concepts

Anal Stage Fixation

Sigmund Freud's psychosexual development theory posits that psychological problems can originate from unresolved conflicts during childhood stages. The anal stage, the second stage in Freud's model, occurs roughly between ages 1-3. During this stage, children experience pleasure from controlling bowel and bladder movements. While that might sound odd, it’s essential for developing a sense of independence and control over bodily functions. If a child experiences strict or lenient toilet training, they might become fixated at this stage. Fixation can manifest in adulthood as either being overly neat and orderly (anal-retentive) or messy and disorganized (anal-expulsive).
For example, a person fixated on the anal stage might keep their desk extremely tidy and get anxious whenever things are out of order. This meticulousness is a sign of anal-retentive behavior. Such a person might feel significant distress if they perceive a loss of control or face disorder. In essence, unresolved conflicts from this stage can significantly impact future behavior and personality.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is a therapeutic approach derived from Freud's theories. This kind of therapy focuses on understanding the influence of the unconscious mind and past experiences on current behavior. Therapists help individuals uncover and resolve unconscious conflicts that might be contributing to psychological difficulties.
In psychodynamic therapy, the therapist and client explore past events, childhood experiences, and feelings that have been repressed. By bringing these to consciousness, the client gains insight into their behaviors and emotions. For example, a client with an anal stage fixation might explore how early experiences with toilet training and parental expectations have shaped their need for order and control.
The goal of psychodynamic therapy is to bring unconscious thoughts to the conscious mind, enabling the client to deal with them constructively. This can help individuals break free from deep-seated patterns that affect their mental well-being and relationships.

Freudian Theory

Freudian theory encompasses several ideas that revolutionized psychology. Key among them are the concepts of the id, ego, and superego, which Freud proposed as the three parts of the human psyche.

The id is the primal part that seeks instant gratification of basic drives and desires. The ego, which develops next, acts as a mediator that balances the demands of the id and the realities of the external world. The superego is the last to develop and embodies moral standards and ideals acquired from parents and society.
Freud's theory of psychosexual development involves five stages: oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital. Each stage is characterized by the focus of pleasure on different areas of the body. Unresolved conflicts during any stage could result in fixation, influencing adult personality and behavior.
For instance, an individual fixated in the anal stage might exhibit traits related to orderliness and control, as seen in the example of someone who keeps a meticulously tidy desk. Understanding these stages helps in identifying the roots of certain behaviors, making Freudian theory foundational in both psychodynamic therapy and general psychological education.