psychoanalysis

(noun)

A family of psychological theories and methods within the field of psychotherapy that work to find connections among patients' unconscious mental processes.

Related Terms

  • bilateral
  • somatic resonance
  • somatic
  • qualitative
  • hypnosis
  • seasonal affective disorder
  • Sigmund Freud
  • libido
  • serotonin

(noun)

A family of theories and methods within the field of psychotherapy that work to find connections among patients' unconscious mental processes.

Related Terms

  • bilateral
  • somatic resonance
  • somatic
  • qualitative
  • hypnosis
  • seasonal affective disorder
  • Sigmund Freud
  • libido
  • serotonin

Examples of psychoanalysis in the following topics:

  • Psychodynamic and Psychoanalytic Therapy

    • In terms of approach, psychodynamic therapy tends to be briefer and less intensive than traditional psychoanalysis; it adapts some of the basic principles of psychoanalysis to a less intensive style of working, usually at a frequency of once or twice per week. 
    • Freud coined the term "psychoanalysis," and related  theories were developed further by Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, Melanie Klein, Anna Freud, Erik Erikson, and others.
    • Psychoanalysis continues to be practiced by psychiatrists, social workers, and other mental health professionals; however, its practice is less common today than in years past.
    • A common critique of psychoanalysis is its lack of basis in empirical research and too much reliance on anecdotal evidence by way of case studies.
    • Both psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapies have been criticized for a lack of scientific rigor, sometimes even referred to as "pseudoscience."
  • Introduction to Psychotherapy

    • In the late 1800s, Sigmund Freud (now known as the father of psychotherapy) developed psychoanalysis, an early Western form of psychotherapy.
    • Psychoanalysis is based on overcoming the desires and negative influences of the unconscious mind.
    • Although its roots are in psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapy tends to be briefer and less intensive than traditional psychoanalysis.
    • Anxious and depressed patients in two short-term therapies (solution-focused and brief psychodynamic) improved faster, but after five years, long-term psychotherapy and psychoanalysis gave greater benefits.
  • Psychodynamic Psychology

    • Freud also coined the term "psychoanalysis."
    • Freud's theory of psychoanalysis holds two major assumptions: (1) that much of mental life is unconscious (i.e., outside of awareness), and (2) that past experiences, especially in early childhood, shape how a person feels and behaves throughout life.
    • The treatment of a patient referred to as Anna O. is regarded as marking the beginning of psychoanalysis.
  • Body-Oriented Psychotherapies

    • There is an increasing use of body-oriented therapeutic techniques within mainstream psychology (such as the practice of mindfulness), and psychoanalysis has recognized the use of such concepts as somatic resonance and embodied trauma.
    • Reich was the first person to bring body awareness systematically into psychoanalysis and also the first psychotherapist to touch clients physically.
  • Cognitive Psychology

    • It accepts the use of the scientific method and generally rejects introspection as a valid method of investigation, unlike phenomenological methods such as Freudian psychoanalysis.
  • Positive Psychology

    • Both Rogers and Maslow introduced this positive, humanistic psychology in response to what they viewed as the overly pessimistic view of psychoanalysis.
  • Maslow's Humanistic Theory of Personality

    • Often called the “third force” in psychology, humanism was a reaction to both the pessimistic determinism of psychoanalysis, with its emphasis on psychological disturbance, and to the behaviorists’ view of humans passively reacting to the environment.
  • Overview of Personality Assessment

    • Projective tests are based on Freudian psychology (psychoanalysis) and seek to expose people's unconscious perceptions by using ambiguous stimuli to reveal the inner aspects of an individual's personality.
  • Humanistic Therapy

    • Rogers and Maslow introduced this positive, humanistic psychology in response to what they viewed as the overly pessimistic view of psychoanalysis; during the 20th century, humanistic psychology became known as the "third force" in psychology.
  • Humanistic Psychology

    • These preliminary meetings eventually culminated in the description of humanistic psychology as a recognizable "third force" in psychology, along with behaviorism and psychoanalysis.
Subjects
  • Accounting
  • Algebra
  • Art History
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Calculus
  • Chemistry
  • Communications
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Microbiology
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • U.S. History
  • World History
  • Writing

Except where noted, content and user contributions on this site are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 with attribution required.