Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Freud's psychoanalytic perspective is a psychological theory that emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences in shaping behavior and personality.
Related terms
Unconscious mind: The part of our mind that contains thoughts, feelings, and memories that are not consciously aware but still influence our behavior.
Defense mechanisms: Psychological strategies used by the ego to protect ourselves from anxiety caused by unconscious conflict.
A therapeutic technique developed by Freud based on his psychoanalytic theory. It involves exploring one's unconscious conflicts through free association, dream analysis, and interpretation.
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