Therapies - Dream Analysis Flashcards
What is the psychodynamic approach’s therapy?
Dream Analysis
What are the aims of Dream Analysis?
- To reveal the unconscious, bringing the unconscious to the conscious
- To uncover the latent content of a dream by examining the manifest content
- Offer insights that allow psychological issues
What are the main components of Dream Analysis?
- Aims
- Manifest and Latent content
- Dreamwork processes
- Role of the therapist
- Dream Diary
Describe this main component of Dream Analysis “Manifest/Latent Content”
Manifest Content: What we actually remember from the dream/the story. e.g you dreamt of a boat sailing away.
Latent Content: The hidden wish, desire or emotion. e.g fear of being left alone; dreaming of a boat sailing away.
Describe this main component of Dream Analysis “Dreamwork Processes”
- Condensation: combining the features of two or more people/objects into one image. One image represents several associations and ideas.
- Displacements: Emotional significance of an object is attached to a different one.
- Symbolism: A symbol takes the place of a person/object/action e.g siblings and rats
- Secondary elaboration: different images come together to make the manifest content
Describe this main component of Dream Analysis: “The role of the therapist”
- Reverse the dreamwork process
- Therapist provides various interpretations of the latent content
- Client makes the final choice of which interpretation makes the most sense to them based in the context of their life.
Describe this main component of Dream Analysis: “Dream Diary”
- Client records their dream experiences including any memories or emotions associated with each dream.
- Recorded in as much detail so they don’t forget. This is then used by the therapist to find an accurate interpretation of the latent content.
Name the first effectiveness point for Dream Analysis
- Shredl et al [2000] 70% of patients in a private practice showed benefits of working through their dreams
Name the second effectiveness point for Dream Analysis
- Hobson & McCarley [1997]: dreams are nothing but commands sent to the brain whilst asleep
- Cannot be scientifically validated
Name the third effectiveness point for Dream Analysis
- Manifest Content of the dream is open to interpretation
- One therapist’s interpretation differs from another
Name the fourth effectiveness point for Dream Analysis
- Reveals the unconscious content to the client that has been repressed and inaccessible to the client
Name the first ethics point of Dream Analysis
- Risk of further harm to the client
- Therapist may guide the client towards an interpretation that is distressing
Name the second ethics point of Dream Analysis
- Rusk of false memory syndrome
- False memories can be mistakenly planted into the clients mind, and can damage family relationships
Name the third ethics point for Dream Analysis
- Valid consent as therapist and client share a relationship
- Client is reliant on the therapist for their treatment, which can be positive [more trusting] but also negative [D.A is expensive so therapist may extend their treatment unnecessarily
Which assumptions apply to Dream Analysis?
- Unconscious mind
- Childhood experiences
- Tripartite model of personality
How does Unconscious mind link to Dream Analysis?
- causes of psychological illness may be repressed.
- D.A makes the unconscious conscious and helps people gain insight into their unconscious
How does childhood influences link to Dream Analysis?
- Traumatic memories in the unconscious may be linked to childhood [repression]
- The buried issues may resurface in our dreams: D.A deciphers this
How does the Tripartite model of personality link to Dream Analysis?
- Demands of the ID are expressed in our dreams as they csnt be expressed when we’re awake.
- In dreams, our ego defense is lowered and the dreams carry out the desires deemed too unethicak/”wrong” to express
