What does the psychoanalytical approach emphasize?

The psychoanalytical approach, founded by Sigmund Freud, centers on the idea that human behavior is largely influenced by unconscious motivations and conflicts. According to this perspective, many of our feelings, thoughts, and actions are driven not by conscious choices, but by underlying unconscious forces that can include repressed memories, desires, and instinctual drives. Freud proposed that early childhood experiences play a crucial role in shaping these unconscious influences, which can affect behavior throughout a person's life.

This approach contrasts with other psychological theories, such as behaviorism, which focuses on observable behavior and the influence of the environment, and cognitive psychology, which emphasizes mental processes such as thinking and reasoning. The psychoanalytical view highlights the importance of exploring these underlying, often hidden motivations to truly understand an individual's behavior. Through techniques like dream analysis and free association, psychoanalysts aim to bring these unconscious thoughts to the conscious mind, providing insight into the person's actions and emotional responses. By emphasizing unconscious motivations, the psychoanalytical approach provides a unique lens through which to understand human behavior and personality development.