A claim, derived from psychoanalytic theory, which postulates that the religion, philosophy, and personality of Hindus are related to anal-erotic impulses, was examined. English college students (48 Hindus, 97 Muslims, 63 Protestants, and 54 of other religions) were administered a questionnaire on anal personality traits. Mean scores for each group were computed and comparisons drawn between groups. Both Hindu and Muslim religious groups displayed significantly more anal personality traits than did the Protestants and the ‘other religions’ group. Further, similar item endorsements were found for the Hindu and Muslim groups. The hypothesized claim relating Hindus and anal-eroticism was accepted.
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