ASWB LCSW Social Work Clinical Practice Exam

What is a fixation in the context of Freud's psychosexual development?

1. An inability to experience pleasure

2. An inability to progress normally from one stage to another

3. An unhealthy attachment to a caregiver

4. A psychological disorder unique to adults

The correct answer is: An inability to progress normally from one stage to another

In the context of Freud's psychosexual development, fixation refers to a situation where an individual becomes stuck or fixated at a particular stage of development due to unresolved conflicts or unmet needs associated with that stage. This fixation can manifest as difficulty progressing normally to subsequent stages of development, impacting personality and behavior in adulthood. Freud theorized that during childhood, certain stages, such as the oral, anal, phallic, latent, and genital stages, are critical in shaping personality. If conflicts are not successfully resolved during these stages, an individual may exhibit characteristics or behaviors associated with the earlier stage throughout their life. For example, someone fixated at the oral stage might develop habits such as smoking or overeating, reflecting an unresolved focus on oral pleasures. The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of fixation as defined by Freud. While an inability to experience pleasure may stem from fixation, it does not represent the direct definition. An unhealthy attachment to a caregiver describes a relational pattern rather than a fixation in psychosexual development. Lastly, a psychological disorder unique to adults does not align with the foundational concept of fixation, which is rooted in childhood experiences and their influence on adult personality.