Anal Retentive Personality (Noun)
Meaning
(psychoanalysis) a personality characterized by meticulous neatness and suspicion and reserve; said to be formed in early childhood by fixation during the anal stage of development (usually as a consequence of toilet training).
Classification
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.
Examples
- He was known for his anal retentive personality, demonstrated by his extreme attention to detail and strict adherence to schedules.
- Her obsession with cleanliness and order was often attributed to an anal retentive personality, stemming from her early childhood experiences.
- The psychoanalyst believed that the patient's anal retentive personality traits were a direct result of his overly strict toilet training as a toddler.
- His colleagues found his extreme organizational skills both impressive and frustrating, a hallmark of his anal retentive personality.
- The character's meticulously planned itinerary and disdain for spontaneity were classic manifestations of an anal retentive personality.