Final answer:
The perspective of psychology that focuses on unconscious processes and unresolved past conflicts is the psychoanalytic perspective, pioneered by Sigmund Freud and expanded upon by others like Carl Jung. It was influential in the early 20th century and remains a significant viewpoint in understanding personality development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The perspective of psychology that emphasizes unconscious processes and unresolved past conflicts is known as the psychoanalytic perspective, primarily associated with Sigmund Freud. Freud's psychoanalytic theory posits that the unconscious mind harbors repressed memories, desires, and unresolved conflicts from past experiences, particularly from childhood, that shape an individual's personality and behavior. Freud used techniques like dream analysis, slips of the tongue, and free association to access the unconscious mind. His theory also introduces the structural model of the psyche, comprising the id, ego, and superego, which interact to influence human behavior and contribute to psychological distress when in conflict.
Other notable theorists in the field, such as Carl Jung, who coined the term collective unconscious, expanded upon Freud's ideas by introducing their own concepts while still acknowledging the importance of unconscious processes in the formation of personality. Overall, the psychoanalytic perspective was a dominant force in the early 20th century and continues to influence the field of psychology despite critiques and the development of alternative theories.