A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis

A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis is a book by Sigmund Freud, first published in 1917. Written as a series of lectures delivered to a general audience, this work provides one of the clearest and most accessible explanations of Freud’s revolutionary ideas about the human mind. Rather than addressing specialists alone, Freud sets out to explain psychoanalysis in plain language, laying the groundwork for concepts that would profoundly influence psychology, literature, and modern thought. The book introduces the core principles of psychoanalytic theory, including the role of the unconscious, repression, dreams, slips of the tongue, and neurotic symptoms. Freud explains how everyday behaviours, mistakes, and fantasies reveal hidden mental processes, arguing that much of human motivation operates outside conscious awareness. Through vivid examples and careful reasoning, he demonstrates how psychoanalysis seeks to uncover these concealed forces and bring them into understanding. Later sections explore Freud’s developing theory of instincts, sexuality, and the structure of mental life, offering insight into how inner conflicts shape personality and emotional life. Freud also addresses common objections to psychoanalysis, defending it as a scientific method of investigation rather than mere speculation. Throughout, the emphasis remains on interpretation, meaning, and the deep psychological roots of human behaviour. As both an introduction to Freudian psychology and a foundational text in psychoanalytic literature, A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis remains essential reading for anyone interested in psychology, the unconscious mind, dream interpretation, and the intellectual history of modern psychology. This is a 1920 translation by G. Stanley Hall.