Word
psychoanalysis
Phoneticspsy·cho·anal·y·sis
US/ˌsaɪkoʊəˈnæɫəsəs/
UK/sˌaɪkəʊɐnˈæləsˌɪs/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a method of treating mental health problems by talking about dreams, feelings, and memories from childhood. It helps people understand how their hidden thoughts affect their behavior.
n. a therapeutic method and psychological theory focused on the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements in the mind. It typically involves bringing repressed fears and conflicts into the conscious mind through techniques like dream interpretation and free association.
Examples
“She decided to try psychoanalysis to understand her recurring dreams.”
“During his years in psychoanalysis, he explored how his relationship with his father influenced his current career choices.”
“While modern clinical psychology has branched into many directions, the foundational concepts of psychoanalysis continue to inform how we interpret the symbolic language of the unconscious mind.”
Examples
simple
“She decided to try psychoanalysis to understand her recurring dreams.”
contextual
“During his years in psychoanalysis, he explored how his relationship with his father influenced his current career choices.”
complex
“While modern clinical psychology has branched into many directions, the foundational concepts of psychoanalysis continue to inform how we interpret the symbolic language of the unconscious mind.”
Usage
Often used without an article when referring to the field of study or the general practice.
Real-World Examples
“Psychoanalysis, which grew out of Freud's work, focuses more on unconscious mental processes, emotional experiences, and the ways past relationships influence present behavior.” “This " catharsis " is an idea popularized by the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud.” “Psychoanalysis is a talking therapy where patients lie on a couch with their therapist behind them out of sight.” “The founder of psychoanalysis pioneered insights into perhaps the original unreliable narrator – the self – and opened the pathway toward increasingly complex literary characters with motives beyond the obvious.” Etymology
From international scientific vocabulary, after German Psychoanalyse. By surface analysis, psycho- + analysis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
In Literature
Cover shown under fair use for identification and commentary.
Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession · 1981-01-01 · History
- Author:
- Janet Malcolm
Published in 1981, this book by the journalist Janet Malcolm examines psychoanalysis as a practice and the people who carry it out. Its title suggests that being an analyst is very hard to do well. Reviewers gave the book a positive reception.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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