Chapter 19 Connection Task Freud

Discussion Questions

1) Freud’s theory of dream interpretation rejected modern scientific views about dreams. The scientific theories left no room for a dream interpretation because dreams are not considered a psychic activity. Dreams were considered a somatic process which makes itself known to the psychic apparatus by means of symbols. This type of interpretation really has no firm scientific basis and is very open to subjective interpretation.

2) Freud says that wish fulfillment is undisguised and easy to recognize. So people may wonder what the language of dreams is. According to Freud our dreams tell us about what our irrational desires and inner conflicts are. Only by reiterating the dream can someone begin to expose and possibly interpret the roots of his/her psychological problems.

3) Every dream reveals itself as a psychological structure, full of significance, and one which may be assigned to a specific place in the psychic activities of the walking state. Meaning that while we are a wake we experience many occurrences. Upon sleeping the subconscious begins to work out our ambivalence in the every day occurrences to give the events more meaning of our true interpretations through the use of symbols. According to Freud with professional guidance dreams can be realized and shared with a professional to aid the person in a deeper understanding of themselves.

In 1900 Dr. Freud was the first person to come up with the theory of dream interpretation. He wrote about dream interpretation to address psychological issues that he felt were symbolized through dreams. He is an important figure in the development of modern day psychology. When ever people learn about psychology they learn about the great accomplishments of Freud. The major negative view to Freud and his theories is that the theory really contained no scientific basis and was subjective in analysis. Critics also feel that Freud’s psychological methods were draw out and too time consuming to have people be able to find resolutions to their anxieties within any reasonable time frame. Freud was known for his longitudinal studies because of the multiple years he would work with any given subject.

I find Freud very interesting and the theories that he came up with are frequently referred to in every day life by ordinary people. He had a tremendous influence in the history of psychology in reference to human behavior. I recently discovered by taking psychology courses at CCC that I love psychology. It’s fun learning about my own as well as other people’s psyche. I really enjoy it because it helps me to understand my own behaviors better.