SACE Stage 2 Psychology 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The psychoanalytic approach, developed by Sigmund Freud, centers around understanding the unconscious mind and how it influences behavior. A key aspect of this approach is the use of techniques such as dream analysis, which involves interpreting dreams to unveil underlying thoughts and desires that may not be accessible in waking life. This exploration of the unconscious also leads to a focus on defense mechanisms, which are strategies that individuals employ to protect themselves from anxiety and conflict stemming from repressed desires.

Transference is another critical element of the psychoanalytic approach, referring to the projection of feelings, desires, and expectations from one person to another, typically evident in the therapist-client relationship. This process is crucial for understanding a client's internal conflicts and developing insights into their psyche.

In contrast, the focus on observable behavior aligns more closely with behaviorist approaches in psychology, which emphasize measurable and observable aspects of human activity without delving into the internal mental processes that the psychoanalytic approach prioritizes. Hence, the option stating a focus on observable behavior is not a feature of the psychoanalytic approach, making it the correct answer.