In therapy, psychoanalysts try to trace unconscious factors that are the source of personal difficulty back to their historical source. Which of the following is an example of typical historical source that a psychoanalyst and his or her client might uncover during therapy?

an oral fixation

failure to overcome "trust vs mistrust"( my answer)

a lack of contact comf0rt in infancy

maternal deprivation

That answer would be typical of an Eriksonian psychoanalyst.

To determine which of the given options is a typical historical source that a psychoanalyst and their client might uncover during therapy, let's consider the principles of psychoanalysis.

Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic approach developed by Sigmund Freud that aims to explore and understand the unconscious mind in order to resolve emotional conflicts and mental health issues. It suggests that many psychological difficulties stem from unresolved conflicts and experiences from childhood.

Now, let's evaluate each option:

1. An oral fixation: An oral fixation is a psychoanalytic concept that suggests an individual might have unresolved issues related to the oral stage of psychosexual development. While it is a possible focus of therapy, it does not directly address the historical source of personal difficulties.

2. Failure to overcome "trust vs mistrust": This option refers to Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory, which focuses on the developmental stages individuals progress through during their lifespan. While it may be relevant to therapy, it does not specifically highlight historical sources from the client's past.

3. A lack of contact comfort in infancy: This option alludes to the theory proposed by John Bowlby regarding attachment and early experiences. A psychoanalyst may explore such experiences during therapy, as they can influence later emotional development.

4. Maternal deprivation: Maternal deprivation refers to the absence or lack of a nurturing maternal figure during early childhood. This concept has been explored in psychoanalytic theory and is often a historical source of personal difficulties that a psychoanalyst might explore during therapy.

Based on the explanations provided, the option that represents a typical historical source that a psychoanalyst and his or her client might uncover during therapy is: maternal deprivation.