Which technique in psychoanalysis involves a patient reporting thoughts as they come to mind, without censorship?

Which technique in psychoanalysis involves a patient reporting thoughts as they come to mind, without censorship?

• A. Free association
• B. Hypnosis
• C. Cognitive restructuring
• D. Behavioral rehearsal

Answer: (A)

Free association is a psychoanalytic technique in which the patient says whatever comes to mind, with minimal self-censoring. By letting thoughts flow openly, ideas, memories, wishes, and feelings that are usually kept out of awareness can surface. These spontaneous associations provide clues to unconscious conflicts and defenses shaping current symptoms. The therapist listens for patterns, resistances, and connections among ideas, using these insights to interpret underlying issues and move toward conscious understanding of hidden material. This approach differs from hypnosis, which relies on entering an altered state for access to memory, from cognitive restructuring, which is a cognitive-behavioral method aimed at changing distorted thoughts, and from behavioral rehearsal, which practices new behaviors rather than exploring hidden content.

Free association is a psychoanalytic technique in which the patient says whatever comes to mind, with minimal self-censoring. By letting thoughts flow openly, ideas, memories, wishes, and feelings that are usually kept out of awareness can surface. These spontaneous associations provide clues to unconscious conflicts and defenses shaping current symptoms. The therapist listens for patterns, resistances, and connections among ideas, using these insights to interpret underlying issues and move toward conscious understanding of hidden material. This approach differs from hypnosis, which relies on entering an altered state for access to memory, from cognitive restructuring, which is a cognitive-behavioral method aimed at changing distorted thoughts, and from behavioral rehearsal, which practices new behaviors rather than exploring hidden content.