Unconscious

The unconscious is the collection of early childhood's forbidden sexual and aggressive impulses. The impulses are repeatedly driven out of awareness, but they continue to influence thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

The unconscious is the central focus of Psychoanalysis. As a theory, Psychoanalysis attempts to understand the nature of the unconscious, and how it manifests and masks itself from detection. For example, it may reveal its contents in dreams, slips of the tongue, and mannerisms. As a psychotherapy, Psychoanalysis develops techniques to unearth the unconscious and gradually introduce it to awareness. One such technique is called Free Association.