psychoanalysis

n. 1. A method or process of psychotherapeutic analysis and treatment pf psychoneuroses, based on the work of Dr. Sigmund Freud (1856- 1939) of Vienna. The method rests upon the theory that neurosis is characteristically due to repression of desires consciously rejected but subconsciously persistent; it consists in a close analysis of the patient's mental history, effort being made to bring unconsciuos and preconscious material to consciousness; the methods include analysis of transferance and resistance. In some variants, stress is laid upon the dream life, and of treatment by means of suggestion. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

2. The theory of human psychology which is the foundation for the psychoanalytic therapy, which explores the relation between conscious and unconscious mental processes in motivating human behavior and causing neuroses. [ PJC ]

3. An integrated set of theories of human personality development, motivation, and behavior based on a body of observations. [ Stedman ] [ PJC ]

4. One of several schools of psychotherapy, such as jungian psychoanalysis or freudian psychoanalysis. [ Stedman ] [ PJC ]

-- Psy`cho*an`a*lyt"ic, a.; Psych`o*an"al*ist n., etc. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]