Psychoanalysis Fundamentals: Core Theories and Concepts

Psychoanalysis provides a profound framework for understanding human behavior, personality structure, and unconscious mental processes. This foundational course introduces you to the essential principles of psychodynamic thought through structured text lessons and clear conceptual explanations. You will begin by learning key terminology and foundational definitions before progressing to classic personality theories and contemporary psychodynamic approaches. What you'll learn: Understand core terminology including the unconscious mind, ego, id, and superego; Explore psychological defense mechanisms and their role in human behavior; Examine the dynamics of transference, countertransference, and theoretical rapport; Learn the basics of dream analysis and symbolic interpretation in psychoanalytic theory; Discover modern relational psychoanalysis and contemporary psychodynamic frameworks; Apply analytical concepts to reflective exercises and scenario analyses. The course moves systematically from historical foundations to modern therapeutic models, giving you a structured overview of the field. This reading-based course is designed for complete beginners, psychology students, and curious learners with no prior experience required. Start reading today to build your foundational understanding of psychoanalysis.