Page 507 - Understanding Psychology

Psychoanalysis and Humanistic Therapy
s Main Idea
Psychoanalysis is an analysis of the con- scious and unconscious mind based on the theories of psychiatrist Sigmund Freud. Humanistic therapy helps people reach their full potential.
s Vocabulary
• psychoanalysis
• insight
• free association
• resistance
• dream analysis
• transference
• humanistic therapy
• client-centered therapy
• nondirective therapy
• active listening
• unconditional positive regard
s Objectives
• Describe psychoanalysis and its aims.
• Explain humanistic therapy and its
goals.
The dream above was experienced by an elderly woman fighting a serious illness. Psychoanalysts might interpret the dream in the following manner: the earth symbolized the illness as well as the woman’s concern that she might die. As a child, she had never been allowed to own a bicycle, so having one represented freedom. The bike symbolized something she badly wanted—good health. Psychoanalysts would then use this information—the dream interpretation—to help the woman understand the psychological dilemmas she faces.
Reader’s Guide
Exploring Psychology
What Does This Dream Mean?
I was a child again, and riding my bicycle along the village street, but its wheels began to sink into sticky, muddy earth, so that I could barely move. Finally, however, the earth began to dry, and I found that I was able to cycle along quite easily once more.
—from Parker’s Complete Book of Dreams by Julia and Derek Parker, 1995
Chapter 17 / Therapy and Change 493