Tuesday, November 28, 2006
♥ Understand our Dreams...
This is how I write my dreams essay for my second module... there are really many things that I don't know... Dreams are indeed interesting...
I got distinction for this module... keke...
Running head: THEORIES OF DREAMS: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FREUD AND JUNG
Theories of dreams: Similarities and differences between Freud and Jung
Cindy Toh
Southern Cross International College
Abstract
This essay is done to determine the similarities and differences between the dream theories of Freud and Jung. Both Freud and Jung stressed the importance of dreams therapy and the relationship between the therapist and the patient. The internal stimuli will allow us to dream but we will tend to neglect it during the day when working (Domhoff, 2000). Freud and Jung stressed the importance of good relationship as a small mistake will affect the interpretations of dreams. Both also argued as both do not support each interpretations. Freud looks into dreams very causally while Jung spends lots of effort on it. Both of them also had different interpretations on dreams symbols and do not agreed with each other (Brlizg, 1998). Hence, their interpretations of dreams are different to a large extent.
Theories of dreams: Similarities and differences between Freud and Jung
Brlizg (1998) indicated that dreams is an expression of conflict, should that be in subconsciousness suppressed unsatisfied wishes, which in dreams demand hallucinatory fulfillment (Freud), or simply internal conflicting psychical process (Jung). Every person on earth dreams every night- every mammals in fact. It follows then that something extremely important must be going on while we sleep and dream, yet in the industrialized world, the majority of people pay little attention to dreams, and sometimes shortchange themselves on sleep because it is perceived as lost time, or at best unproductive (Domhoff, 2000). I will be talking a little about Freud and Jung’s theories of dreams before comparing the similarities and differences of the dream theories between Freud and Jung, on how they interpret dreams.
Dreams were first regarded by Freud as the fulfillment of infantile sexual desires (Adler, 1997). In Freud’s view, the dream opens the way to the knowledge of the unconscious, although they are not equivalent, and the dream does not evaluate the unconscious: it is the disgusted accomplishment of a repressed wish (Romanian Dreamwork Centre, 2003). Bixler (1998) also indicate that dreams are originated either from the id or the ego. It means that if it originated from the ego, it will satisfy an instinct but if it is originated from the id, it will solve a conflict (Freud, 1949). Freud believed that every dream is partially motivated by a childhood wish (Alperin, 2004).
Jung originates dreams in the unconscious. Dotson (1996) indicate that they are naturally occurring phenomenon, arising spontaneously and autonomously into the conscious mind. It is true, as we cannot decide which dreams we will have beforehand every night. Jung also thought that dreams could help us heal and grow through archetypal which include myths, fairy tales and religions (Bixler, 1998).
Both interpretations of dreams are similar as both stressed the value of dreams in therapy and pacient-therapist relationship. Firstly, they placed great importance on the role of dreams in therapy. Brlizg (1998) indicate that dreams are exclusively a psychic phenomenon, and therefore the interpretation of dreams is as valid source of information as is for example hypnosis, free association, interview, projective images and so forth. Both Freud and Jung indicated that the content of the dream-report is related to internal stimuli which we will tend to neglect it during the day due to constant occupation (Domhoff, 2000). Brlizg (1998) also stated that dreams will be at potential conflict as long as we do not make it conscious and solve it.
Secondly, both Freud and Jung agreed that interpretations can never be done without co-operation of dreamer Brlizg (1998). When interpreting a dream, the therapist cannot force or be impatience with the patient as it will cause severe change to the real content of the dream (McLynn, 1996). It is also important that the patient do not hide anything when telling the dreams, otherwise, the dreams will be useless (Brlizg, 1998). Hence, when interpreting dreams, truth is very important and nothing must be hide from the therapist. Most importantly is not to miss out any single details as a single small detail will affect the interpretation.
However, important differences are also observed. Finality vs. causality, dreams symbol and wish-fulfillment denies Jung’s interpretations contribute to the difference of their interpretation of dreams.
Freud interpreted dreams from causal point of view. He searched for the cause of dreams and merely answer that dreams are contributed by internal stimuli. During the interpretation of dreams, Freud found out that internal stimuli are unsatisfied wishes, and are conflicting in nature (Brlizg, 1998).
While on the other hand, Jung did not believe dreams should be interpreted using “free association” (Dotson, 1996). He not only searches for the cause of dream, he interpreted dreams. Romanian Dreamwork Centre (2003) shows that dreams can be interpreted in both objectively and subjectively ways. In objective analysis, the dream is reported to the social environment of the individual while in the subjective analysis, the dream characters are considered to be aspects of dreamer’s personality.
Both Freud and Jung had different interpretation on the meaning of symbols too when dreaming. Wilson (2006) indicated that according to Freud, dream symbols are for the most part sexual in meaning thus; many dreams have a sexual correlation. For example, picking apples in connection with the patient’s association is an expression if erotic scene. The censorship will transform the motive to image and hence, the apples will symbolise breasts (Brlizg, 1998). The events in the past had a great impact on the patient’s superego and as a result, responsible for the repression of the sexual desire.
The dream with apples is also undoubtedly an erotic scene for Jung. But, it is however, more important the myth of Adam and Eve (McLynn, 1996). Brlizg (1998) indicated that the patient’s central conflict is expressed in desire to have a sexual intercourse on one hand, and commit a sin on the other hand. This also shows that the patient is afraid of being observed and do not have the courage to do the things he or she wants.
Freud’s wish-fulfillment denies Jung’s interpretation because both are looking at different point of angles. Wilson (2006) indicates that according to Freud, dreams are a form of fulfilling suppressed, and in most cases, sexual wishes. These wishes are internal stimuli, but will be transformed into hallucinatory fulfillment in dreams. Hence, all the visual dream scenes are called wish-fulfillment (Domhoff, 2000). Brlizg (1998) also shows that the manifest content of dream serves the purpose of latent content, and even when taking the censorship into account, certain aspects of Jung’s interpretation, such as the objective and subjective level of dreams cannot be accepted.
In conclusion, Jung and Freud’s approaches to the interpretation of dreams are similar as both of them stress the importance of dreams in therapy and based on the premise that dreams reflect conflicts Brlizg (1998). The way of how they acquire their date is also similar. Both determined that the dreams come from the subconsciousness.
I think that the theories of Freud and Jung are different to a large extent. They disagree with each other’s interpretations and only had few in common. In Freud’s interpretation, he just indicates that dreams are merely unsatisfied desires which are needed to be discovered, whereas Jung searched for solutions that already expressed in dreams. Jung does not believe in Freud way of using “free association” to interpret dreams (Dotson, 1996). Jung also did not agree with Freud that all the dreams are only a subject to repressed sexual traumas. Both of them had so many disagreements and do not support each other’s interpretations. Freud’s interpretations are mostly about sexual while Jung believed a lot on myths and religions.
References
Alfred Adler. (1997). Understanding Life: An introduction to the psychology of Alfred
Adler
Brlizg. (1998). Dreams as Viewed by Freud and Jung. Retrieved September 5, 2006 from
http://www2.arnes.si/%7Euljfdv15/library/art06.html
Domhoff, G. W. (2000). Moving Dream Theory Beyond Frewd and Jung. Graduate
Theological Union, Berkeley, CA.
Gail Bixler. (1998). Understanding Dreams: Perspective from the ancients through
modern times. MA. Retrieved September 7, 2006 from
http://www.ondreaming.com/theories/index.htm
Kevin Wilson. (2006). Introduction to Frued’s Theory on Dreams. Retrieved September
8, 2006 from http://www.kevinwilson.info/dream/freud_dreams.php
Mark L. Dotson. (1996). Jung’s Theory of Dreams. Retrieved September 7, 2006 from http://members.core.com/~ascensus/docs/jung1.html
McLynn, F. J. (1996). Carl Gustav Jung:a biography / Frank McLynn. (1st ed.) NY: St.
Martin’s Press.
Psychic Journal and Sabrina Scott Co., Inc. (2001). Retrieved September 5, 2006 from
http://www.psychicjournal.com/archives/000410/000410f2.htm
Richard, M. Alperin. (2004). Toward an integrated understanding of dreams. Clinical
Social Work Journal, vol. 32, no. 4.
Romanian Dreamwork Centre. (2003). Psychology of Dreams of Freud & Jung.
Retrieved September 7, 2006 from
http://www.explorarea-visurilor.ro/Uk/Psycho.htm
I got distinction for this module... keke...
Running head: THEORIES OF DREAMS: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FREUD AND JUNG
Theories of dreams: Similarities and differences between Freud and Jung
Cindy Toh
Southern Cross International College
Abstract
This essay is done to determine the similarities and differences between the dream theories of Freud and Jung. Both Freud and Jung stressed the importance of dreams therapy and the relationship between the therapist and the patient. The internal stimuli will allow us to dream but we will tend to neglect it during the day when working (Domhoff, 2000). Freud and Jung stressed the importance of good relationship as a small mistake will affect the interpretations of dreams. Both also argued as both do not support each interpretations. Freud looks into dreams very causally while Jung spends lots of effort on it. Both of them also had different interpretations on dreams symbols and do not agreed with each other (Brlizg, 1998). Hence, their interpretations of dreams are different to a large extent.
Theories of dreams: Similarities and differences between Freud and Jung
Brlizg (1998) indicated that dreams is an expression of conflict, should that be in subconsciousness suppressed unsatisfied wishes, which in dreams demand hallucinatory fulfillment (Freud), or simply internal conflicting psychical process (Jung). Every person on earth dreams every night- every mammals in fact. It follows then that something extremely important must be going on while we sleep and dream, yet in the industrialized world, the majority of people pay little attention to dreams, and sometimes shortchange themselves on sleep because it is perceived as lost time, or at best unproductive (Domhoff, 2000). I will be talking a little about Freud and Jung’s theories of dreams before comparing the similarities and differences of the dream theories between Freud and Jung, on how they interpret dreams.
Dreams were first regarded by Freud as the fulfillment of infantile sexual desires (Adler, 1997). In Freud’s view, the dream opens the way to the knowledge of the unconscious, although they are not equivalent, and the dream does not evaluate the unconscious: it is the disgusted accomplishment of a repressed wish (Romanian Dreamwork Centre, 2003). Bixler (1998) also indicate that dreams are originated either from the id or the ego. It means that if it originated from the ego, it will satisfy an instinct but if it is originated from the id, it will solve a conflict (Freud, 1949). Freud believed that every dream is partially motivated by a childhood wish (Alperin, 2004).
Jung originates dreams in the unconscious. Dotson (1996) indicate that they are naturally occurring phenomenon, arising spontaneously and autonomously into the conscious mind. It is true, as we cannot decide which dreams we will have beforehand every night. Jung also thought that dreams could help us heal and grow through archetypal which include myths, fairy tales and religions (Bixler, 1998).
Both interpretations of dreams are similar as both stressed the value of dreams in therapy and pacient-therapist relationship. Firstly, they placed great importance on the role of dreams in therapy. Brlizg (1998) indicate that dreams are exclusively a psychic phenomenon, and therefore the interpretation of dreams is as valid source of information as is for example hypnosis, free association, interview, projective images and so forth. Both Freud and Jung indicated that the content of the dream-report is related to internal stimuli which we will tend to neglect it during the day due to constant occupation (Domhoff, 2000). Brlizg (1998) also stated that dreams will be at potential conflict as long as we do not make it conscious and solve it.
Secondly, both Freud and Jung agreed that interpretations can never be done without co-operation of dreamer Brlizg (1998). When interpreting a dream, the therapist cannot force or be impatience with the patient as it will cause severe change to the real content of the dream (McLynn, 1996). It is also important that the patient do not hide anything when telling the dreams, otherwise, the dreams will be useless (Brlizg, 1998). Hence, when interpreting dreams, truth is very important and nothing must be hide from the therapist. Most importantly is not to miss out any single details as a single small detail will affect the interpretation.
However, important differences are also observed. Finality vs. causality, dreams symbol and wish-fulfillment denies Jung’s interpretations contribute to the difference of their interpretation of dreams.
Freud interpreted dreams from causal point of view. He searched for the cause of dreams and merely answer that dreams are contributed by internal stimuli. During the interpretation of dreams, Freud found out that internal stimuli are unsatisfied wishes, and are conflicting in nature (Brlizg, 1998).
While on the other hand, Jung did not believe dreams should be interpreted using “free association” (Dotson, 1996). He not only searches for the cause of dream, he interpreted dreams. Romanian Dreamwork Centre (2003) shows that dreams can be interpreted in both objectively and subjectively ways. In objective analysis, the dream is reported to the social environment of the individual while in the subjective analysis, the dream characters are considered to be aspects of dreamer’s personality.
Both Freud and Jung had different interpretation on the meaning of symbols too when dreaming. Wilson (2006) indicated that according to Freud, dream symbols are for the most part sexual in meaning thus; many dreams have a sexual correlation. For example, picking apples in connection with the patient’s association is an expression if erotic scene. The censorship will transform the motive to image and hence, the apples will symbolise breasts (Brlizg, 1998). The events in the past had a great impact on the patient’s superego and as a result, responsible for the repression of the sexual desire.
The dream with apples is also undoubtedly an erotic scene for Jung. But, it is however, more important the myth of Adam and Eve (McLynn, 1996). Brlizg (1998) indicated that the patient’s central conflict is expressed in desire to have a sexual intercourse on one hand, and commit a sin on the other hand. This also shows that the patient is afraid of being observed and do not have the courage to do the things he or she wants.
Freud’s wish-fulfillment denies Jung’s interpretation because both are looking at different point of angles. Wilson (2006) indicates that according to Freud, dreams are a form of fulfilling suppressed, and in most cases, sexual wishes. These wishes are internal stimuli, but will be transformed into hallucinatory fulfillment in dreams. Hence, all the visual dream scenes are called wish-fulfillment (Domhoff, 2000). Brlizg (1998) also shows that the manifest content of dream serves the purpose of latent content, and even when taking the censorship into account, certain aspects of Jung’s interpretation, such as the objective and subjective level of dreams cannot be accepted.
In conclusion, Jung and Freud’s approaches to the interpretation of dreams are similar as both of them stress the importance of dreams in therapy and based on the premise that dreams reflect conflicts Brlizg (1998). The way of how they acquire their date is also similar. Both determined that the dreams come from the subconsciousness.
I think that the theories of Freud and Jung are different to a large extent. They disagree with each other’s interpretations and only had few in common. In Freud’s interpretation, he just indicates that dreams are merely unsatisfied desires which are needed to be discovered, whereas Jung searched for solutions that already expressed in dreams. Jung does not believe in Freud way of using “free association” to interpret dreams (Dotson, 1996). Jung also did not agree with Freud that all the dreams are only a subject to repressed sexual traumas. Both of them had so many disagreements and do not support each other’s interpretations. Freud’s interpretations are mostly about sexual while Jung believed a lot on myths and religions.
References
Alfred Adler. (1997). Understanding Life: An introduction to the psychology of Alfred
Adler
Brlizg. (1998). Dreams as Viewed by Freud and Jung. Retrieved September 5, 2006 from
http://www2.arnes.si/%7Euljfdv15/library/art06.html
Domhoff, G. W. (2000). Moving Dream Theory Beyond Frewd and Jung. Graduate
Theological Union, Berkeley, CA.
Gail Bixler. (1998). Understanding Dreams: Perspective from the ancients through
modern times. MA. Retrieved September 7, 2006 from
http://www.ondreaming.com/theories/index.htm
Kevin Wilson. (2006). Introduction to Frued’s Theory on Dreams. Retrieved September
8, 2006 from http://www.kevinwilson.info/dream/freud_dreams.php
Mark L. Dotson. (1996). Jung’s Theory of Dreams. Retrieved September 7, 2006 from http://members.core.com/~ascensus/docs/jung1.html
McLynn, F. J. (1996). Carl Gustav Jung:a biography / Frank McLynn. (1st ed.) NY: St.
Martin’s Press.
Psychic Journal and Sabrina Scott Co., Inc. (2001). Retrieved September 5, 2006 from
http://www.psychicjournal.com/archives/000410/000410f2.htm
Richard, M. Alperin. (2004). Toward an integrated understanding of dreams. Clinical
Social Work Journal, vol. 32, no. 4.
Romanian Dreamwork Centre. (2003). Psychology of Dreams of Freud & Jung.
Retrieved September 7, 2006 from
http://www.explorarea-visurilor.ro/Uk/Psycho.htm
11/28/2006 12:46:00 AM
