While empirical investigation has mostly been negative for psychoanalysis, certain elements of psychoanalytical theory have been very important to development of modern psychology. These include the realization that the mind has elements not under direct conscious control that can affect actions and behavior, and that human mental development occurs in stages. | While empirical investigation has mostly been negative for psychoanalysis, certain elements of psychoanalytical theory have been very important to development of modern psychology. These include the realization that the mind has elements not under direct conscious control that can affect actions and behavior, and that human mental development occurs in stages. |