Psychoanalytic theory remains hugely influential to our understanding of the mind and human behaviour. It provides a rich source of ideas for therapeutic practice while offering dramatic insights for the study of culture and society, with applications that extend across film, literature and politics. Taking you step-by-step through Freud’s original ideas and their evolution, this book explores the birth of psychoanalysis and provides a clear account of fundamental psychoanalytic concepts.
New to this edition: · A new chapter on class, gender and race · Expanded sections on neuropsychoanalysis, relational theory and trauma · Updated throughout to offer a succinct exploration of the history, development and current standing of psychoanalysis
Written by a highly respected authority in the field, this updated edition is essential reading for trainees in counselling and psychotherapy, as well as for students across the arts, humanities and social sciences.
A Brief Introduction to Psychoanalytic Theory is also available in audiobook format from audiobook retailers.
By:
Stephen Frosh (Birkbeck University of London)
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: 2nd edition
Dimensions:
Height: 232mm,
Width: 154mm,
Spine: 22mm
Weight: 440g
ISBN: 9781350534063
ISBN 10: 1350534064
Pages: 280
Publication Date: 05 February 2026
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Preface to the Second Edition PART ONE: FREUDIAN THEORY Chapter 1: The Appeal of Psychoanalysis Chapter 2: Main Schools of Psychoanalysis Chapter 3: What Freud was Trying to Do Chapter 4: The Freudian Unconscious Chapter 5: Sex, aggression, life and death Chapter 6: Repression and Other Defences Chapter 7: The Structure of the Mind: id, ego, superego. Chapter 8: Oedipus, Masculinity, Femininity Chapter 9: Psychopathology: What Makes Us Sad (and Mad) PART TWO: DEVELOPMENTS IN PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY Chapter 10: Psychoanalysts after Freud Chapter 11: Attachment, Mentalisation and Neuropsychoanalysis Chapter 12: The Principles of Object Relations Theory Chapter 13: Mourning, Melancholia, Loss and Trauma Chapter 14: The Paranoid-Schizoid Position and Other Extremes Chapter 15: Projection and Psychosis Chapter 16: Imaginary, Symbolic and Real: Lacanian psychoanalysis PART THREE: THEORY OF THERAPY Chapter 17: Interpretation and Transference Chapter 18: Countertransference and Intersubjectivity PART FOUR: WIDER APPLICATIONS Chapter 19: Psychoanalysis, Film and Literature Chapter 20: Politics and Society Chapter 21: Class, Gender and Race Conclusion Recommended Reading
Stephen Frosh is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London, an Academic Associate of the British Psychoanalytical Society and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. He is the author of many books and papers on psychosocial studies and on psychoanalysis.
Reviews for A Brief Introduction to Psychoanalytic Theory
This most impressive book should be welcomed not only by all coming new to the detailed study of psychoanalysis but also by experienced clinicians and trainees from many psychotherapeutic approaches. * Review of the first edition, Therapy Today *
