Final answer:
Psychoanalysis is characterised as a field rife with contention, where some principles may be viewed as anathema even by seasoned practitioners. Despite criticisms from post-structuralists and feminists, Freud's primary theories on the unconscious mind significantly influenced psychology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The practice of psychoanalysis is one that embodies various degrees of debate and different interpretations within its community. When considering the blanks in the provided sentence:
- Blank (i) would be best filled by (C) rife with contention, as it suggests that psychoanalysis is a field where much debate and disagreement exists.
- Given the context provided, Blank (ii) would be appropriately completed by (F) anathema, indicating concepts that might be deeply opposed or found to be objectionable by some within the field.
- And for Blank (iii), (I) seasoned practitioners fits well, as this speaks to individuals who are experienced and respected in the practice of psychoanalysis but may still not adhere strictly to all of its founding principles.
This reflection shows that psychoanalysis is an evolving field, one that has faced and continues to face many criticisms and reinterpretations, even amongst its most experienced practitioners. For example, post-structuralist critiques argue that Freudian psychoanalysis cannot be empirically validated, and feminist critiques point out how Freud's theories tended to exclude female perspectives, representing a patriarchal bias. Nonetheless, the core ideas introduced by Freud about the unconscious mind and the impact of childhood experiences on adult motivations have left a lasting impact on psychology, even as some of his concepts, such as the id, ego, and superego, have been contested and fallen out of favor over time.