anal-sadistic phase

in the classical psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud, a phase of the anal stage in which the child manifests aggressive and destructive tendencies. One expression of these tendencies is withholding the feces in defiance of parental urging. See anal-aggressive personality. See also anal-expulsive phase; anal-retentive phase.

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Psychology term of the day

November 17th 2024

eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

Sorry, "eye-movement-desensitization-and-reprocessing-emdr" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.