anal-expulsive phase

in the classical psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud, a phase of the anal stage in which pleasure is obtained by expelling feces and the sadistic instinct is linked to destruction of the object. According to the theory, fixation at this phase results in an adult anal personality. See also anal-sadistic phase. Compare anal-retentive phase.

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Psychology term of the day

November 17th 2024

entorhinal cortex

a region of cerebral cortex in the ventromedial portion of the temporal lobe. It has reciprocal connections with the hippocampal formation and various other cortical and subcortical structures and is an integral component of the medial temporal lobe memory system. It is also involved in spatial navigation. Lesions in this area are used to study neural plasticity and working memory; they are also seen in temporal lobe epilepsy and the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.