FIXATION

1. The obsessive pre-occupation with a single idea or aim. 2. Psychoanalytic theory. The persisting of an early psycho-sexual stage or the inappropriate attachment to a psycho-sexual object or gratification.

What does fixation mean in psychology?

In psychology, fixation describes a person’s persistent focus or connection to an earlier psychosexual stage of development. This inappropriate focus on a single area of development could hinder emotional and psychological development and result in inappropriate behaviors. In Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, which emphasizes the significance of early childhood experiences in forming an individual’s adult personality and conduct, the concept of fixation is a key component.

Importance

It is essential for understanding fixation in psychology since it helps an understanding of the underlying reasons of particular behaviors and, as a result, more successful therapeutic interventions. Individuals can get rid of fixations and have better emotional and psychological functioning by dealing with unresolved issues from earlier developmental stages.

What causes fixation in psychology?

Fixation is an important idea in the different stages of psychosexual development. Depending on a person’s particular experiences, unsolved conflicts, and unmet needs, the severity and presentation of fixation may differ greatly. It is important to look at the stages of psychosexual development for understanding fixation.

Types of fixation

1. Oral fixation: This occurs during the oral stage (birth to 18 months), where individuals may develop an unhealthy preoccupation with oral activities, such as smoking, overeating, or nail-biting
2. Anal fixation: During the anal stage (18 months to 3 years), fixation can manifest as an obsession with cleanliness, orderliness, or control, or, conversely, as messiness and disorganization
3. Phallic fixation: In the phallic stage (3 to 6 years), fixation can lead to issues with authority, sexual identity, or inappropriate sexual behavior
4. Latency fixation: Although fixation is less common during the latency stage (6 years to puberty), individuals may exhibit difficulties in social relationships or intellectual pursuits if they become fixated

Stages of fixation

Fixation is a crucial concept in psychosexual development, occurring within its various stages. The severity and manifestation of fixation can differ significantly based on an individual’s unique experiences and the specific unresolved conflicts or unmet needs they encounter. To better understand fixation, it is essential to examine the stages of psychosexual development.

1. Oral Stage (birth to 18 months): In this initial stage, the primary source of pleasure for infants is derived from oral activities such as sucking, biting, and swallowing. Fixation in the oral stage can result from issues related to feeding, weaning, or early attachment.
2. Anal Stage (18 months to 3 years): During the anal stage, toddlers derive pleasure from controlling their bowel movements. Fixation may occur if there are conflicts surrounding toilet training, strict discipline, or excessive parental control.
3. Phallic Stage (3-6 years): In this stage, children become aware of their genitals and experience pleasure from touching them. Fixation may arise due to unresolved conflicts related to sexual identity, parental relationships, or gender roles.
4. Latency Stage (6 years to puberty): This stage is marked by a decrease in sexual interests and an increased focus on social and intellectual pursuits. Fixation in this stage is less common; however, unresolved conflicts from earlier stages can still impact an individual’s development and relationships.
5. Genital Stage (puberty onwards): During the genital stage, individuals develop a mature sexual interest in others. Fixation may result from the continuation of unresolved conflicts or unmet needs from previous stages, which can manifest in difficulties forming healthy and satisfying romantic relationships.

Examples

• A person with an oral fixation may overeat or smoke excessively as a means of coping with stress or anxiety
• An individual with an anal fixation may exhibit extreme cleanliness or orderliness, possibly stemming from a strict upbringing where they were excessively punished for making a mess
• A person with a phallic fixation may struggle with authority figures, possibly due to unresolved Oedipal or Electra complexes from their childhood

References:

Breuer, J., & Freud, S. (1895). Studies on Hysteria. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/studies-on-hysteria

Fonagy, P., Gergely, G., Jurist, E. L., & Target, M. (2015). Affect regulation, mentalization, and the development of the self. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429471643

Freud, S. (1905). Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality. In J. Strachy, & A. Freud (Eds.), The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Volume VII (1901-1905): A Case of Hysteria, Three Essays on Sexuality and Other Works (pp. 123-246). London: Hogarth Press.

Freud, S. (1923). The ego and the id. https://daily.jstor.org/virtual-roundtable-on-the-ego-and-the-id/

Gabbard, G. O. (2014). Psychodynamic psychiatry in clinical practice. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2014-23574-000

Laplanche, J., & Pontalis, J. B. (1967). The language of psycho-analysis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429482243