Psychoanalytic Theory in Introductory Psychology Textbooks 1 Running Head: PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY IN INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY TEXTBOOKS How Accurately Do Introductory Psychology Textbooks Present Psychoanalytic Theory?

Previous studies have raised concerns about the adequacy of the coverage of psychoanalytic content in undergraduate psychology textbooks. Our study investigates the accuracy and currency of psychoanalytic content in the best-selling introductory psychology textbooks from 2005. Across the different textbooks, 2- 18 % of the paragraphs with psychoanalytic content included inaccurate or misleading statements, and the difference between publication date and median dates of empirical psychoanalytic references for each book ranged from 4 to 11 years. Consistent with previous research, this study raises concerns about the overall quality and currency, and considerable variability in the quality and currency, of the presentation of psychoanalytic theory to undergraduates. We present suggestions both to textbook authors wishing to include the most accurate and up-to-date information and also to instructors concerned about selecting textbooks presenting accurate and current psychoanalytic content