Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist, is credited as the founder of psychoanalysis.
Psychoanalysis is both a theory of human behavior and a method of treatment for mental illness.
Freud's work emphasized the significant role of the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and psychosexual development in shaping personality.
Key concepts central to his theory include the structural model of the psyche (Id, Ego, Superego) and the use of techniques like free association and dream analysis.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
Option B: Edmund Jacobson was a physician and physiologist, not the founder of psychoanalysis.
Option C: There is no prominent psychologist or psychiatrist named Franklin who is credited with developing a major therapeutic school like psychoanalysis.
Option D: Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher whose work predates the formal discipline of psychology by centuries.
Related Visual
Visual 1: Diagram: An infographic illustrating Freud's model of the human psyche, often depicted as an iceberg. The small visible part above the water represents the conscious mind, while the vast submerged part represents the preconscious and the deep, inaccessible unconscious (housing the Id).
Clinical Relevance
Nursing practice connection: Knowing Founder of Psychoanalytic Theory helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding foundational psychological theories like psychoanalysis helps nurses, particularly in mental health, to appreciate the historical context of modern psychotherapy.
Concepts like defense mechanisms (e.g., denial, projection, rationalization), which originated from psychoanalytic theory, are still widely used to understand and describe patient behaviors in response to illness and stress.
What if a patient consistently 'forgets' appointments for a serious health condition? A nurse with knowledge of psychoanalytic concepts might recognize this as a form of denial or resistance, prompting a more empathetic and exploratory conversation about the patient's fears rather than simply labeling them as non-compliant.
How to Approach the Question
This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of the history of psychology.
First, identify the key term in the question: 'Psychoanalytic Therapy'.
Next, scan the options to see which name is most famously associated with this term.
Sigmund Freud is universally known as the father of psychoanalysis. The other names are associated with different fields or eras.
Eliminate the incorrect options: Aristotle is an ancient philosopher, and Jacobson is known for a different technique (PMR). Franklin is not a recognized founder of a major psychotherapy.
Confirm the correct association between 'Psychoanalytic Therapy' and 'Sigmund Freud'.
Concept Tested & Keywords
Concept Tested: Founder of Psychoanalytic Theory
Stem keywords: Psychoanalytic Therapy, developed by
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Negative lead-in flag: false
Question ID
qJuIUUi09nFN7YYuhlX2C
Practise the full RRB Staff Nurse Delhi-2015
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.