The psychodynamic approach: Dream analysis

Dreamwork

The latent content is transformed to the manifesto content through the process of dreamwork. This consists of the various processes including condensation, displacement, representation,symbolism, secondary elaboration.

Role of therapist

There role is to reverse the dreamwork process. They should not offer an interpretation of the dream but suggest various interoperation based on the patients feedback and knowledge of life experiences and the patient selects them

The symbolic nature of dreams

Content of dreams are expressed symbolically. The real meaning of the dream (latent content) is transformed into a more innocuous form (manifest content). For example a penis may be represented as a snake or gun, vagina by a tunnel or cave. freud believed it was necessary to consider the content of the individials life. Freud also recognised that not everything in a dream us symbolic as freud himself said 'sometimes a cigar is just a cigar'.

Define condensation

Dream thoughs are in rich detail and content by are condensed into brief images standing for several associations and ideas.

Define displacement

Emotional significance of object is separated from its real object or content and attracted to a completely different one so the dream content is not censored

Dreams as wish fulfilment

Freud believed that the dreams were the unconscious fulfilment of a wish that could not be satisfied in the conscious mind. Dreams protect the primary process thoughts but also allowed some expression to these buried urges

what is the main component of dream analysis

Freud suggested that the unconcious mind expressed itself through dreams, and the content of an individuals dream revealed whats on their unconscious mind.

define representation

A thought is translated into visual images

define secondary elaboration

the unconscious mind collects all the different images and ties them together forming a logical story. The dream material may be supplied from actual events.

define symbolism

a symbol replaces an action, person or idea