Social Work Examination Services (SWES) Human Behavior Practice Test

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Prepare for the Social Work Examination Services Test on Human Behavior. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations to enhance your comprehension and readiness for the test.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

The characteristics of an anal personality, according to Freudian theory, may include which of the following traits?

Generosity and openness
Stinginess and legalism
Empathy and emotional support
Creativity and spontaneity

The correct answer is: Stinginess and legalism

Stinginess and legalism are recognized traits associated with the anal personality type in Freudian theory, which suggests these characteristics emerge during the anal stage of psychosexual development. According to Freud, during this stage (approximately ages 1-3), children learn to control bodily functions and, consequently, develop attitudes toward possessions and authority. Individuals who develop an anal-retentive personality tend to be overly meticulous, orderly, and often rigid in their thinking. This can manifest as stinginess regarding physical resources, relationships, and emotional availability. Legalism reflects a strict adherence to rules and structure, which can stem from the need for control established during this developmental phase. In contrast, the other traits listed in the options—generosity, empathy, emotional support, creativity, and spontaneity—are typically not aligned with the characteristics of an anal personality. Rather, those traits are more closely associated with personalities that are more open, flexible, and emotionally expressive, contrasting sharply with the suggestive tendencies of stinginess and legalism prevalent in individuals with an anal fixation.