Dream Analysis Flashcards
How does dream analysis link in with the assumption of the unconscious mind?
Dream analysis is a technique used in psychoanalysis. Freud proposed that one way the unconscious mind expresses itself it through dreams. The threatening nature of unconscious thought is exposed through dreams.
How does dream analysis link in with the assumption of the influence of childhood experiences?
It states that traumatic memories buried in the unconscious mind may be related to childhood events that are still troubling and may surface through dreams when trying to process these.
How does dream analysis link in with the assumption of the tripartite personality?
It is thought that the desires of our ID are shown through our dreams rather than allowing them to threaten our sanity as they can be seen as unacceptable as when we are dreaming our ego defences are low so the ID can ‘come to life’.
Dreams as wish fulfilment
The most important aspect of our personality when we look at dreams is our unconscious. This is because it is the source of our wishes and fantasies. Freud called this primary process thought. In our conscious minds, a lot of these impulses are seen as unacceptable and so are repressed as a way to protect our conscious minds. However, when we dream, the unconscious has more freedom and so dreams can be a source of wish fulfilment.
The symbolic nature of dreams
Although dreams allow us to fulfil our unconscious wishes and desires, the actual content of a dream is often expressed symbolically. This is because if we actually dreamed what we desired, it may cause anxiety and stress to the conscious mind. Therefore, dreams are filtered through layers of symbolism, allowing us to have our wish fulfilment, but still protecting our conscious from the harmful content of the unconscious.
What is manifest and latent content?
Manifest content is what you actually dream about.
Latent content is the real meaning.
For example, the manifest content could be a snake but the latent content would be a penis.
Dreamwork
The latent content is turned into the manifest content throug dreamwork.
What is condensation?
Dream thoughts are rich in detail and content but these are condensed to brief images in a dream where dream image sands for several associations and ideas.
What is displacement?
The emotional significance of a dream object is separated from its real object or content and attached to an entirely different one so that the dream content is considered ‘censored’.
What is symbolism?
A symbol replaces an idea person or action.
What is secondary elaboration?
The unconscious mind collects different images and ties them together to form a logical story, further disguising the latent content. The actual dream material may be supplied from recent events in a person’s waking life.
The role of the therapist
The aim is not so much to interpret dreams, but use dreams to uncover things in the unconscious. A patient will talk to the therapist about the manifest content of their dream and the therapist will help guide the patient to uncovering the latent content. The therapist does not make the final interpretation, they provide a few possible interpretations and the patient will pick the explanation they feel is true.
Ethical issues dream analysis follows
Confidentiality, Privacy, Right to withdraw, No deception
Ethical issues dream analysis does not follow
Protection from harm, Informed consent
Other ethical issues
Time and cost - Psychoanalysis takes s long time and therefore can be expensive (not on the NHS)
Open to abuse: It is in the therapists best interest to keep clients coming back as they are getting paid for it.
False memory syndrome: Human memories can easily be changed. In dream analysis, a client will be encouraged to dig deeper into their unconscious to bring any repressed memories to the surface. There is no way of knowing whether their memories are real or not.
