Psychoanalytic criticism is a method of literary analysis that examines the psyche of characters to understand their motives and behavior. Synonyms for psychoanalytic criticism include psychological criticism, depth psychology, and psychoanalytical theory. These approaches aim to unearth the unconscious desires of characters and the hidden symbolism within a text. Related terms include Freudian criticism, Jungian criticism, and Lacanian criticism, which take their names from seminal psychoanalytic theorists. Each approach emphasizes different aspects of psychoanalytic theory, such as the role of libido, archetypes, or language in explaining character behavior. Overall, psychoanalytic criticism provides a rich and complex framework for understanding literature through the lens of psychology.