The Unconscious

The Unconscious
Your Name
Subject and Section
Professor’s Name
Date
1 Define the unconscious. What is it? Why does psychodynamic therapy focus on this?
Contemporary ideologies view the unconscious with unique perspectives. Cognitive psychology describes it as an object that processes subliminal information by gathering stimuli that an individual is unaware of. A subliminal stimulus pertains to one that does not contain much power to employ a meaning. It cannot be interpreted straightforwardly and needs a critical mind and experience for an excellent understanding (Bargh & Morsella, 2008).
In social psychology, the unconscious is viewed traditionally where the individual lacks awareness rather than lack of the understanding of a stimulus, where an individual is subconsciously aware. Another point-of-view is signified by the Freudian model, where the unconscious is designated as the guardian of one’s daily life (Bargh & Morsella, 2008). Additionally, Freud mentioned in his psychoanalysis that the unconscious (or subconscious) knowingly affects an individual’s behaviors. This is evident in dreams and during slips of the tongue. The phenomenon ensues without one’s knowledge, and only the person can report to the subconscious and not vice-versa (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2017).
Psychodynamic therapy is an approach that emphasizes a person’s unconscious thoughts and feelings and encourages them to manifest these in reality to increase his self-awareness and understanding of his past and present attitude. This aids the person in cross-examining oneself to rise from their unresolved conflicts (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 1999).
2 How does psychodynamic therapy do this? (one paragraph)
Generally, the therapy works through transference, countertransference, and interpretation. Transference guides the client and therapist’s relationship. It aids the client to work on the central issues by improving self-awareness and insights. Next, countertransference defines the therapist’s subconscious cognitive and emotional insights into the client. The therapist places himself on the same shoe to empathize with the situation. Lastly, the in...