From a Freudian perspective, a client with alcoholism and heavy smoking would be characterized as which psychosexual type?

• A. Anal character
• B. Oral character
• C. Phallic character
• D. Latency character

Answer: (B)

Freud’s psychosexual development theory says personality can be shaped by fixation at the stage where ongoing gratification is sought. In the oral stage, the mouth is the main source of pleasure, typically from birth to about 18 months. If this stage is either overindulged or frustrated, the adult may become fixated there, forming an oral character. Such individuals often seek oral stimulation throughout life, which can show up as habits like smoking, drinking, or other mouth-centered activities. That’s why alcoholism and heavy smoking point to the oral character—the best fit among the options.

An anal character ties to toilet-training conflicts and traits around control and orderliness; a phallic character relates to early sexual identity and Oedipal dynamics; latency is a period of reduced sexual activity rather than a lasting personality type.