Final answer:
Sigmund Freud's method for treating mental disorders and his theory of personality is known as psychoanalysis, which emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences. His research approach was in-depth interviews and case studies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sigmund Freud's theory of personality and his method of therapy for treating mental disorders is known as psychoanalysis. Freud's approach involved in-depth interviews and case studies to understand the unconscious mind, which he believed played a crucial role in influencing behavior. His psychoanalytic theory emphasizes the importance of early childhood experiences, and unconscious drives influenced by sex and aggression. Notably, Freud's ideas have inspired neo-Freudians, who also emphasize the importance of early experiences but differ in areas such as the role of social environment and culture.
Freud's psychoanalytic theory was one of two dominant perspectives in American psychology in the early 20th century, the other being behaviorism. However, these deterministic theories were challenged by the emergence of humanistic psychology, which advocated for personal control and the innate potential for good within all humans. Meanwhile, Freud's protégé Carl Jung developed analytical psychology, which focused on integrating the conscious and unconscious parts of the psyche.
Freud's research method for developing his theory was a case study, which is a detailed investigation of an individual or group, often over an extended period.