Definition
Psychoanalytic theory is an approach to understanding the human psyche, and the treatment of psychological disturbances.
Description
Sigmund Freud invented psychoanalysis as a theory of the human psyche and a treatment for psychological disturbances. Freud’s work spanned the years of 1895 to 1939. Freud’s theories have had profound impact on Western culture. Many of Freud’s ideas, considered radical during his time, have become commonplace today. Consider the notion of unconscious mental activity. Before Freud, it was assumed that we are aware of all that we know. Today, it is generally assumed that we may have unconscious reasons for doing what we do.
As in most areas of expertise, psychoanalytic theory has expanded and evolved since its inception. In the past 100+ years, psychoanalytic theory has developed from being the work of one person into the work of many, and reflects...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Freud, S., & Breuer, J. (1895). Studies on Hysteria. In The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud (1953–74) (Vol. 2). Translated and edited by J. Strachey et al. London: Hogarth Press.
Freud, S. (1905). Three essays on the theory of sexuality. In Standard edition (Vol. 7). London: Hogarth Press.
Freud, S. (1923). The ego and the id. In J. Strachey (Ed.), The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud (Vol. 19, pp. 1–66). London: Hogarth.
Kohut, H. (1979). The two analyses of Mr. Z. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 60, 3–27.
Kohut, H., & Wolf, E. (1978). The disorders of the self and their treatment: An outline. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 59, 413–424.
Levenson, E. (1972). The fallacy of understanding. New York: Basic Books.
Sullivan, H. S. (1940). Conceptions of modern psychiatry. New York: Norton.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this entry
Cite this entry
Posner, D. (2011). Psychoanalytic Theory. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_2290
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_2290
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-77579-1
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-79061-9
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science