An action test of hypotheses concerning the anal personality.

Psychoanalytic characterology posits that distinctive traits which are associated with conflicts in various impulse areas will be manifest in extreme degrees when the conflict is inadequately resolved. 48 Ss performed a hand-eye coordination task (action test) in an odorous dirty medium reminiscent of fecal matter. Poor performance of this task was taken as an index of ineffective defenses against anal impulses. It was predicted that indecisiveness and narrow intellectualism would be associated with ineffective defenses. Ss with unsuccessful action tests showed slower decision making and a selective sensitivity for anal concepts. Questionnaire study indicated that they also profess greater discomfort in areas which are characteristically troublesome for anal personalities.