Which of the following is a common criticism of traditional psychoanalytic therapy?

• A. It focuses exclusively on biological factors and ignores unconscious processes.
• B. It lacks empirical support and is difficult to scientifically validate.
• C. It is primarily used to treat physical illnesses rather than psychological disorders.
• D. It emphasizes short-term, solution-focused interventions over exploring childhood experiences.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the core principles of traditional psychoanalytic therapy, which was developed by Sigmund Freud and focuses on unconscious processes, childhood experiences, and the influence of early life on adult behavior.
2. Step 2: Recognize that traditional psychoanalytic therapy emphasizes exploring unconscious conflicts and childhood memories rather than focusing on biological factors or physical illnesses.
3. Step 3: Identify that one common criticism is related to the scientific rigor of psychoanalytic therapy, specifically that it is difficult to empirically test and validate its concepts and effectiveness.
4. Step 4: Note that traditional psychoanalytic therapy is generally long-term and exploratory, rather than short-term or solution-focused, which contrasts with some modern therapeutic approaches.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the criticism about lacking empirical support and scientific validation is the most accurate and widely accepted critique among the options provided.