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
Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic approach developed by Sigmund Freud that aims to treat mental disorders by investigating the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements in the mind.
A key component in psychoanalysis which involves interpreting dreams to uncover unconscious desires or experiences. It’s like decoding a secret message that your mind sends you while you sleep.
This is when a person redirects feelings and desires unconsciously retained from childhood towards a new object - often their psychoanalyst. It's like having an old photograph and projecting it onto a blank canvas.
In psychoanalysis, resistance is the patient's unconscious attempt to block revelations of repressed memories and conflicts. It’s like your mind building up walls to keep certain secrets hidden.