Which characteristic is associated with Freud's anal stage of development?

Which characteristic is associated with Freud's anal stage of development?

• A. Characterized by oral fixation in adulthood.
• B. This stage is associated with toilet training.
• C. Focus of the libido is the phallic stage.
• D. Development continues after adolescence.

Answer: (B)

Freud's anal stage focuses on mastering bladder and bowel control and gaining a sense of autonomy, typically around 18 to 36 months. The central task during this period is toilet training, through which the child learns self-control and how to regulate elimination. Successfully navigating this stage nurtures a sense of competence, while tension or harshness in training can influence later personality traits. That’s why toilet training is the defining feature of this stage, making the correct choice the one that links the stage to toilet training. The other options point to different ideas: an oral fixation comes from the earlier oral stage, not the anal stage; the phallic stage involves focus on the genitals and occurs later; development continuing after adolescence is not a distinctive characteristic of this stage.

Freud's anal stage focuses on mastering bladder and bowel control and gaining a sense of autonomy, typically around 18 to 36 months. The central task during this period is toilet training, through which the child learns self-control and how to regulate elimination. Successfully navigating this stage nurtures a sense of competence, while tension or harshness in training can influence later personality traits. That’s why toilet training is the defining feature of this stage, making the correct choice the one that links the stage to toilet training.

The other options point to different ideas: an oral fixation comes from the earlier oral stage, not the anal stage; the phallic stage involves focus on the genitals and occurs later; development continuing after adolescence is not a distinctive characteristic of this stage.