ANAL RETENTIVE Meaning and
Definition
-
Anal retentive is an idiomatic expression derived from Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory that refers to a personality trait or behavior characterized by excessive orderliness, meticulousness, and a strong need for control and perfection. The term "anal" is derived from Freud's theory on infantile psychosexual development, specifically the anal stage, during which a child learns to control their bodily functions.
In a broader sense, anal retentive describes an individual who exhibits an excessive attention to detail, organization, and adherence to rules, often at the expense of flexibility and spontaneity. Such individuals may display a strong desire to maintain order and cleanliness, seeking perfection in their personal and professional lives. They may emphasize punctuality, follow rigorous routines, and have a strict sense of discipline.
However, the term "anal retentive" is often used with a slightly derogatory connotation, suggesting an excessive or unreasonable obsession with order and control. It implies a person who may be overly pedantic, rigid, or overly focused on minor details, sometimes to the point of causing frustration or annoyance to others.
While it originated in Freudian psychology, "anal retentive" has evolved to become a common phrase in everyday language, often employed colloquially to describe people or behaviors that exhibit excessive rigidity and attention to detail while lacking flexibility or spontaneity.
Common Misspellings for ANAL RETENTIVE
- znal retentive
- snal retentive
- wnal retentive
- qnal retentive
- abal retentive
- amal retentive
- ajal retentive
- ahal retentive
- anzl retentive
- ansl retentive
- anwl retentive
- anql retentive
- anak retentive
- anap retentive
- anao retentive
- anal eetentive
- anal detentive
- anal fetentive
- anal tetentive
- anal 5etentive
Etymology of ANAL RETENTIVE
The term "anal retentive" is derived from a psychological concept introduced by Sigmund Freud called "anal retentiveness" or "anal retention". Freud believed that during the anal stage of psychosexual development (around the ages of 1-3), a child's focus is primarily on control and retention of feces. If a child's experience during this stage is characterized by excessive strictness or pressure from parents regarding toilet training, it can lead to fixation or neurotic behavior in adulthood.
Over time, the term "anal retentive" has become colloquially used to describe individuals who are excessively orderly, rigid, or highly attentive to details, often to an extreme degree. It is mostly used as a pejorative term in popular culture to describe someone who is overly perfectionistic or overly concerned with rules and regulations.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
