freud's (1918) dream analysis of 'the wolfman'

Question 1

aim

Answer 1

To see if dream analysis could help treat psychological problems by releasing repressed memories.

Question 2

sample

Answer 2

One Russian male in his 20s, suffering from depression

Question 3

research method/ design

Answer 3

Longitudinal case study
(4 years)

Question 4

procedure

Answer 4

The man, known as “The Wolfman”, was interviewed over 4 yrs

He was thought to suffer from depression after his father & sister had both committed suicide.

He reported a dream where he woke up and saw 6 or 7 white wolves sitting in a walnut tree outside his bedroom window staring at him.

Question 5

findings

Answer 5

The wolves represented fear because he had seen a ‘primal scene’ of his parents having sex. Freud also said the wolves represented fear of his father who he was scared would castrate him.

Also thought as the dream was around Christmas, the wolves could represent pleasure, like Christmas presents.

Question 6

conclusion

Answer 6

Dreams can represent repressed thoughts which hide in the unconscious.

Question 7

limitations

Answer 7

Sample too small & culturally biased (unrepresentative &
can’t be generalised).

Study too subjective - based only on Freud’s interpretations.