The impending death of psychoanalysis

Although psychoanalysis once dominated psychology, evidence now points to t he waning influence of psychoanalytic theory in psychological science, psyc hiatric diagnosis, undergraduate instruction, and graduate training. In thi s article I describe 7 self-destructive behaviors exhibited by psychoanalys ts that contributed to the precipitous decline of psychoanalytic theory in recent years. I then outline three strategies for retaining those features of psychoanalysis that are scientifically and clinically useful while jetti soning those that are dated and inaccurate. These strategies might enable s cientific psychologists and research-minded practitioners to reinvigorate p sychoanalytic theory during the 21st century.