Psychoanalysis is a form of depth therapy and a theory of mind that focuses on the unconscious and early life experiences that shape behavior and emotion.

Core features of psychoanalysis

  • It assumes many psychological problems are rooted in unconscious conflicts, wishes, and memories, often from childhood.
  • Symptoms (like anxiety or phobias) are seen as surface expressions of deeper, hidden disturbances.
  • The goal is to make unconscious thoughts and motivations conscious so the person can gain insight and change.
  • It is both a theory of personality (ideas like id, ego, and superego) and a method of treatment.

Typical techniques

  • Free association: the patient is encouraged to say whatever comes to mind so unconscious material can emerge.
  • Dream analysis: dreams are examined for latent meanings that express unconscious wishes and conflicts.
  • Analysis of resistance: noticing where the patient avoids, blocks, or distorts material that feels threatening.
  • Analysis of transference: exploring how feelings toward important people from the past are projected onto the analyst.

What is generally true of psychoanalysis

In many textbook-style “which of the following are true of psychoanalysis?” questions, statements like the following are usually marked as true:

  • It focuses on unconscious mental processes.
  • It emphasizes the influence of early childhood experiences and internal conflict.
  • It uses techniques such as free association and dream analysis to uncover unconscious material.
  • It aims for deep personality and relational change, not just quick symptom relief.

If you share the specific answer choices you’re looking at, I can walk through each option and tell you which ones are true and why.