The Collaborative International Dictionary
Psychoanalysis \Psy`cho*a*nal"y*sis\, n.
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.
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.
An integrated set of theories of human personality development, motivation, and behavior based on a body of observations.
--[Stedman]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.
Usage examples of "freudian psychoanalysis".
Although these teachings were elaborated in the eighth century, they have great currency today, even in the engrams of Freudian psychoanalysis.