Who is the father of psychoanalysis?& x20;

RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd)

Psychology

Easy

Who is the father of psychoanalysis?

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd)

Sigmund Freud is universally recognized as the founder of psychoanalysis, a method for treating psychopathology through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst.
His work emphasized the significance of the unconscious mind, dream analysis, and the psychosexual stages of development.
He developed the structural model of the psyche, comprising the id, ego, and superego, which remains a fundamental concept in psychology.

Option B: He was a Russian physiologist known for his work on classical conditioning, a theory of learning through association, not psychoanalysis.
Option C: He is considered the 'father of modern psychology' for establishing the first psychology laboratory, focusing on structuralism. His work is distinct from psychoanalysis.
Option D: He was a key figure in American psychology and a proponent of functionalism, which focused on the purpose of consciousness and behavior, not the unconscious drives central to psychoanalysis.

Visual 1: Infographic: A timeline showing the key figures in the history of psychology and their major contributions (Wundt, James, Pavlov, Freud).
Visual 2: Diagram: A visual representation of Freud's structural model of the psyche (Id, Ego, Superego) as an iceberg, showing the conscious, preconscious, and unconscious levels.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain History of Psychology and Founders of Major Theories as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the historical roots of psychotherapy helps nurses appreciate the basis for various therapeutic communication techniques and mental health interventions.
Freud's concepts, such as defense mechanisms (e.g., denial, projection), are still used in clinical practice to understand patient behavior and coping strategies in response to illness.
What if the question was about behaviorism? The answer would likely be B.F. Skinner or John B. Watson, highlighting the importance of knowing different psychological schools of thought.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question from the history of psychology.
Identify the key term in the question: 'psychoanalysis'.
Associate this term with its founder. Psychoanalysis is strongly and uniquely linked to Sigmund Freud.
Review the other options to confirm they are associated with different schools of thought (Pavlov with conditioning, Wundt with experimental psychology, James with functionalism).
Select the name directly associated with the theory mentioned in the question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.