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 theory is a psychological approach that emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences in shaping personality and behavior.
Related terms
Unconscious mind: The part of our mind that contains thoughts, memories, and desires that are not currently in our conscious awareness.
Defense mechanisms: Psychological strategies we unconsciously use to protect ourselves from anxiety or discomfort.
Psychosexual stages: According to Freud, these are distinct periods of development during which different erogenous zones become important sources of pleasure.