phallic sadism

in classical psychoanalytic theory, aggression that is associated with the child’s phallic stage of psychosexual development. The child interprets sexual intercourse as a violent, aggressive activity on the part of the man and particularly on the part of the penis. See also primal scene; sadism.

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Psychology term of the day

November 22nd 2024

aggressive character

a personality characterized by a hostile or competitive attitude to others and the pursuit of power, prestige, and material possessions. Karen D. Horney defined the development of such a character as one of three basic neurotic trends used as a defense against basic anxiety. Compare compliant character; detached character.