as rooted in the

Psychoanalysis Reviewer/Notes
unconscious mind.
I. Introduction to Psychoanalysis​ ●​ Manifest symptoms are
Psychoanalysis is a theory of personality,
caused by latent
a method of therapy, and a research
tool developed by Sigmund Freud in the (hidden) disturbances.
late 19th and early 20th centuries. It ●​ Typical causes include
explores unconscious motives, early unresolved issues during
childhood experiences, and the
development or
structure of the human psyche.
repressed trauma.
founded by Sigmund Freud, that ●​ Freud believed that
seeks to explore the unconscious people could be cured
mind to uncover repressed by making conscious
feelings and interpret their unconscious
deep-rooted emotional patterns, thoughts and
often using techniques like dream motivations, thus gaining
analysis and free association. insight.

Austrian psychiatrist Sigmund ●​ Treatment focuses on

Freud, who coined the term bringing the repressed

psychoanalysis. During the 1890s, conflict to consciousness,

Freud worked with Austrian where the client can

physician and physiologist Josef deal with it.

Breuer in studies of neurotic

patients under hypnosis. Freud
and Breuer observed that, when
the sources of patients’ ideas II. Key Concepts in Psychoanalysis

and impulses were brought into

1.​ The Unconscious Mind
consciousness during the ○​ The mind is divided into
hypnotic state, the patients three levels: the conscious,

showed improvement. preconscious, and

unconscious.
○​ The unconscious contains
Basic Assumptions repressed thoughts,
desires, and traumatic
memories.
●​ Psychoanalytic
○​ Example: A person who
psychologists see experienced childhood
psychological problems trauma may unknowingly
 avoid certain situations ○​ Phallic Stage (3-6 years):
that remind them of the Oedipus/Electra complex
event, even though they develops.​
are not consciously aware Example: A child may
of the connection. become very attached to
2.​ The Structure of Personality the parent of the opposite
(Freud’s Tripartite Model) sex and view the same-sex
○​ Id: Primitive and instinctual parent as a rival.
part of the mind; operates ○​ Latency Stage (6-12
on the pleasure principle. years): Sexual impulses are
○​ Ego: Rational and dormant.​
mediating component; Example: A child focuses
follows the reality principle. on school, friendships, and
○​ Superego: Internalized hobbies rather than
moral standards and romantic interests.
ideals; operates on the ○​ Genital Stage (12+ years):
morality principle. Maturation of sexual
○​ Example: A person on a interests.​
diet craves chocolate Example: An individual
cake. Their id wants to eat begins to form healthy
it immediately, their romantic relationships and
superego reminds them of focuses on personal
their goal to stay healthy, development.
and their ego negotiates 4.​ Defense Mechanisms
by allowing a small bite ○​ Psychological strategies to
instead of the whole cake. protect the ego from
3.​ Psychosexual Stages of anxiety.
Development ○​ Common types:
○​ Oral Stage (0-1 year): repression, denial,
Focus on sucking and projection, displacement,
biting.​ sublimation, and
Example: An adult who regression.
constantly chews gum or ○​ Example: A student who
bites their nails may have fails an important exam
an unresolved oral fixation. blames the teacher
○​ Anal Stage (1-3 years): instead of accepting their
Control over elimination lack of preparation
functions.​ (projection).
Example: Someone who is
III. Psychoanalytic Therapy
overly organized or
extremely messy may
1.​ Free Association
have unresolved conflicts
○​ Patients verbalize thoughts
from this stage.
without censorship to
 uncover unconscious point to unresolved
material. childhood issues.
○​ Example: A patient starts
IV. Contributions and Criticisms of
talking about their dreams
Psychoanalysis
and suddenly recalls a
forgotten childhood
1.​ Contributions
memory.
○​ Foundation for modern
2.​ Dream Analysis
psychology and
○​ Dreams reveal hidden
psychotherapy.
desires and unresolved
○​ Emphasized the
conflicts.
importance of early
○​ Distinction between
childhood experiences.
manifest content (surface
○​ Introduced the concept of
meaning) and latent
the unconscious mind.
content (hidden
○​ Example: Many modern
meaning).
therapies, such as
○​ Example: A person dreams
psychodynamic therapy,
about flying, which a
are based on Freudian
therapist interprets as a
principles.
desire for freedom and
independence. 2. Criticisms
3.​ Transference and
○​ Lack of empirical
Countertransference
evidence and scientific
○​ Transference: Patients
rigor.
project emotions onto the
○​ Overemphasis on sexuality
therapist based on past
and childhood
relationships.
experiences.
○​ Countertransference:
○​ Gender-biased theories
Therapist’s emotional
(e.g., Freud’s views on
response to the patient.
female psychology).
○​ Example: A patient views
○​ Example: Freud's concept
their therapist as a father
of penis envy has been
figure and behaves as
widely criticized as
they would towards their
outdated and sexist.
own father (transference).
4.​ Interpretation
V. Neo-Freudian and Modern
○​ Therapist helps patients
Psychoanalytic Theories
gain insight into
unconscious conflicts. 1.​ Carl Jung: Introduced the
○​ Example: A therapist concepts of collective
identifies recurring themes unconscious and archetypes.​
in a patient's speech that Example: The hero archetype
appears in myths and movies,
 such as Harry Potter and Luke
Skywalker.
2.​ Alfred Adler: Focused on the
importance of social factors and
the inferiority complex.​
Example: A child who is
frequently compared to their
siblings may develop feelings of
inferiority and strive for success.
3.​ Erik Erikson: Developed the
psychosocial stages of
development.​
Example: A teenager struggles
with their identity, trying to figure
out their role in society (identity
vs. role confusion stage).
4.​ Karen Horney: Challenged
Freud’s views on female
psychology and introduced the
concept of basic anxiety.​
Example: A person who felt
neglected as a child may
develop a strong need for
approval in adulthood.

VI. Conclusion​
Psychoanalysis remains a foundational
theory in psychology, influencing various
therapeutic approaches and modern
psychological thought. While some
aspects have been revised or criticized,
its insights into the human psyche
continue to shape contemporary
psychology.