Theories Of Dream Z
Considered the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) revolutionizes the study of dreams with his work The Interpretation of Dreams.
Freud begins to analyze dreams in order to understand aspects of personality as they relate to pathology. He believes that nothing you do occurs by chance; every action and thought is motivated by your unconscious at some level. In order to live in a civilized society, you have a tendency to hold back our urges and repress our impulses. However, these urges and impulses must be released in some way; they have a way of coming to the surface in disguised forms.
One way these urges and impulses are released is through your dreams. Because the content of the unconscious may be extremely disturbing or harmful, Freud believes that the unconscious expresses itself in a symbolic language.
Freud categorizes aspects of the mind into three parts:
Id - centered around primal impulses, pleasures, desires, unchecked urges and wish fulfillment. This part of our mind, we are completely unconscious of. It is a 'child-like' state and seeks immediate gratification and pleasure.
Ego - concerned with the conscious, the rational, the moral and the self-aware aspect of the mind. This part of our mind tries to create balance between the impulsive, impatient nature of the ID and the impractical morals of the Super Ego.
Superego - the censor for the id, which is also responsible for enforcing the moral codes of the ego. This is responsible for our morals and what we consider to be the right decision to make in certain situations.
When you are awake, the impulses and desires of the id are suppressed by the superego. Through dreams, you are able to get a glimpse into your unconscious or the id. Because your guards are down during the dream state, your unconscious has the opportunity to act out and express the hidden desires of the id. However, the desires of the id can, at times, be so disturbing and even psychologically harmful that a
Freud begins to analyze dreams in order to understand aspects of personality as they relate to pathology. He believes that nothing you do occurs by chance; every action and thought is motivated by your unconscious at some level. In order to live in a civilized society, you have a tendency to hold back our urges and repress our impulses. However, these urges and impulses must be released in some way; they have a way of coming to the surface in disguised forms.
One way these urges and impulses are released is through your dreams. Because the content of the unconscious may be extremely disturbing or harmful, Freud believes that the unconscious expresses itself in a symbolic language.
Freud categorizes aspects of the mind into three parts:
Id - centered around primal impulses, pleasures, desires, unchecked urges and wish fulfillment. This part of our mind, we are completely unconscious of. It is a 'child-like' state and seeks immediate gratification and pleasure.
Ego - concerned with the conscious, the rational, the moral and the self-aware aspect of the mind. This part of our mind tries to create balance between the impulsive, impatient nature of the ID and the impractical morals of the Super Ego.
Superego - the censor for the id, which is also responsible for enforcing the moral codes of the ego. This is responsible for our morals and what we consider to be the right decision to make in certain situations.
When you are awake, the impulses and desires of the id are suppressed by the superego. Through dreams, you are able to get a glimpse into your unconscious or the id. Because your guards are down during the dream state, your unconscious has the opportunity to act out and express the hidden desires of the id. However, the desires of the id can, at times, be so disturbing and even psychologically harmful that a