Theory influenced by psychoanalysis that stresses the importance of unconscious mental processing together with childhood experiences that shape personality. There are a number of such theories (all of which emphasize unconscious motives), but the one that has maintained historical dominance is that by Sigmund Freud 1856-1939). According his theory, personality consists of the id (pleasure seeking), the superego (rule following), and the ego (mediation between id and superego). Psychodynamic theory as derived from psychoanalysis has been subjected to number of criticisms including the accusation that it lacks convincing empirical support.
See Ego, Id, Psychoanalysis, Superego