Psychoanalytic

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Psychoanalysis \Psy`cho*a*nal"y*sis\, 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.]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  psychoanalytic
       adj : of or relating to or incorporating the methods and theory of
             psychiatric treatment originated by Sigmund Freud;
             "Freud's psychoanalytical theories"; "psychoanalytic
             treatment" [syn: {psychoanalytical}]