Testing Freud's theory of dreams by means of experimental psychology - Replication and extension of a previous study

Author(s): Borchers, H.

Journal/Book: Psychother Psychosom Med Psyc. 1996; 46: P O Box 30 11 20, D-70451 Stuttgart, Germany. Georg Thieme Verlag. 419-422.

Abstract: In replication of a recent study, another experiment was carried out to test Freud's assumption that the elements of the dream are particularly close to the repressed unconscious and that free associations starting from them should therefore encounter successively growing resistance. 15 female subjects were asked to associate to parts of their own dreams and to those of a control subject. Skin conductance reactions (SCR) were assessed during these procedures. In addition, subjects had to report as often as possible about accompanying feelings of uneasiness during associations; this was achieved by pressing a button. Areas below SCR curves, considered as a measure of psychophysiological activation, were significantly greater during associations to own dreams. In addition, SCR values rose more often under these conditions. Feelings of uneasiness were more pronounced during associations to own dreams and such feelings increased more often under these circumstances. In spite of some difficulties implied in the experimental procedure, these findings again are in accordance with Freud's theories of dreams, resistance and repression.

Note: Article Kohler T, Univ Hamburg, Psychol Inst 3, Von Melle Pk 5, D-20146 Hamburg, GERMANY

Keyword(s): dream; free associations; electrodermal activity; reported feelings of uneasiness

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