This paper looks at Freud's theory concerning anal retentiveness and how it relates to the behavior of my sister, Jennifer. This paper will look at his theory and how it help for understanding the behavior of people who exhibit the characteristic of being anal-retentive. According to psychodynamic theory, most of our personality lies below the surface somewhere in the subconscious, with only a small portion being located in our conscious awareness. Theoretically, our subconscious is made up of id, ego, and super-ego. The paper explains how each of these work. The paper explains the problems that Jennifer has related to anal retentiveness. Jennifer is clearly fixated on these small things that she feels she must have control over, such as who sits where at the dinner table or making sure everything is always in its place. These defense mechanisms are put up by the ego when the anxiety caused by the conflicting pressures of the id and reality become overbearing. The ego then tries to ease this tension in a less threatening way or by getting rid of it completely by ignoring the id's desire, by repressing it.
