Introduction
Students have read about the various types of therapy available
for people with psychological troubles. In this exercise,
students will examine psychoanalysis, the treatment based
on the theories of Sigmund Freud.
Lesson Description
Students will use information from The American Psychoanalytic
Association Web site to research the purposes and methods
of psychoanalysis. Students will read a description of the
characteristics of psychoanalysis, the problems it can treat,
and the process of the treatment. Students will then answer
four questions and apply this information by making a chart
of the advantages and disadvantages of using psychoanalysis
to treat depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive
disorders.
Instructional Objectives
1. Students will be able to summarize the purposes and methods
of psychoanalysis.
2. Students will be able to apply this knowledge to create
a chart of the positive and negative aspects of treating different
psychological disorders with psychoanalysis.
Student Web Activity Answers
1. Psychoanalytic therapy is based on the ideas that our unconscious
mind guides much of our behavior, and that we gain control
over our lives by uncovering our unconscious feelings. The
role of the psychotherapist is to encourage patients to talk
so that they can discover their unconscious motivations and
desires.
2. Problems that psychoanalysis treats include depression,
lack of goals, inability to love or establish friendships,
inability to relax, compulsive behaviors, feelings of meaningless,
and irrational fears.
3. In most psychoanalytic sessions, patients lie on a couch
with the therapist out of view and begin talking. Patients
are encouraged to talk about anything—dreams, fantasies,
angry thoughts, self-doubts-but they do not have to talk about
anything they would prefer not to discuss. The psychoanalyst
listens and asks questions to stimulate patients to reveal
their thoughts and feelings. The psychoanalytic process generally
takes a minimum of two years, and sessions may occur as often
as several times per week.
4. The characteristics of psychoanalysis include: usually
occurs without medicating the patient; does not include advising
people as to how they should be living their lives; can take
much longer than other forms of therapy (an average of two
years); may be scheduled several times per week; is usually
conducted on an individual basis; concentrates on people's
unconscious motivations; emphasizes the value of dream interpretation.
5. Students' charts will vary. Students should realize after
browsing the Web site and reading Chapter 17, that psychoanalysis
is most effective when people are able to gain insights (with
the help of a psychiatrist) on their behaviors. People who
have lost touch with reality would most likely not benefit
from psychoanalysis.
Student Web Activity
