In this paper, the topic of dreams will be discussed. Dreams are something most individuals have experienced, but they are still a mystery to some degree. This includes some theories on why dreams occur, Sigmund Freud’s opinions on dreams, and the interpretation of dreams.
Countless researchers contemplate on why dreams occur, while a concrete answer to this question has not yet been found, many theories have been formed. Patricia Garfield’s, The Dream Book: A Young Persons Guide to Dreams clearly goes the scientific route stating, “Dreaming is one of your body’s basic rhythms” (p.4). From this suggestion, we can surmise that dreams naturally happen to everyone, without even trying. Brenda Mallon (2000) theorizes that “[dreams] are essential to our mental health. We cannot live without dreaming… Dreams help us to process all the information we receive when awake” (p. 6). A theory that is complimentary to the last is from Sun Bear, Wabun Wind & Shawnodese (1994), which suggests that “Dreams seem to be a way for people to solve problems that elude them while they are awake” (Bear et al., 1994, p. 64).
Furthermore, Sarah Marinos (2018) claims that the reason recurring dreams happen is because the messages being conveyed are going unnoticed. Quick Bites (2009) argues that even nightmares may be good for one’s mental health, as they can actually make one feel better about the world when they wake up. According to The Gale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained (2003) Dr. Stanley Krippner suggests that you start having dreams as a child as a way of preparation of the maturation of the senses including vision, hearing, and sight. This idea suggests that dreams you have as a child are less concerned about memories, but rather tactile impressions. To conclude, even though many theories have been developed about dreams, the cause of them is still unknown.
Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, had his own opinion on dreams. These opinions became the building blocks for other psychologists. According to Julia & Derek Parker’s Parkers’ Complete Book of Dreams (1995), Freud believed that dreams could only refer to certain repressed or foreign desires through symbolism. In further support of his beliefs, Freud also claimed that “dreams had a manifest content (what happened in the dream) and a latent content (what the dream was trying to tell us)” (Parker, 1995, p. 20).
In attempts to conduct his own research, Freud started to get his patients to use free association to work on their dreams, and try to figure out what they meant. The use of free association prevented the patient from trying to assume what could have happened, and just to focus on what actually occurred in the dream (1995). This allowed Freud to see the extent of the uncensored dreams. According to The Gale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained, Freud also developed a complex process by the name of “dream work… [in which] the dream could be unraveled backward, penetrating the unconscious memory of the dreamer and thereby setting the person free” (Steiger & Steiger, 2003, p.118). As stated in Parkers’ Complete Book of Dreams (1995), Freud claimed that our deepest desires are reflected by our dreams, “[Freud] also stressed the erotic content of our dreams” (p. 14). Furthermore, Freud believed that dreams are a way to conceal the aforementioned desires.
Interpreting dreams may at times be difficult, but the resulting benefits are worth it for some. Patricia Garfield (2002) claims that when dreams are interpreted the newly acquired information can be used to figure out a way to make our waking life better. The Illustrated Guide to Dreams (2000) states that another reason to interpret your dreams is that you become more self-aware. Interpretation allows us to look into the past, future, and unknown by going into the realm that “transcends our normal waking consciousness” (Mallon, 2000, p. 8). An important point made in Julia & Derek Parker’s Parkers’ Complete Book of Dreams (1995), is when dreams are being interpreted, one cannot believe that all dreams carry the same amount of significance as some may just be referring to insignificant events or thoughts. The Gale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained (2003) claims Fritz Perls “found that in order to learn from dreams, it is not essential to work out the entire dream structure. To work even with small bits of the dream is to learn more about the dreamer.
In order to ‘relive’ a dream one must first refresh one’s memory of it by writing it down or by telling it to another person as a story that is happening now, in the present tense” (Steiger & Steiger, 2003, p.118). Parkers’ Complete Book of Dreams (1995) states that “One of the difficulties about interpreting dreams is that you can be yourself, or anything else – even any number of things – in a dream. This could give rise to several different interpretations” (Parker & Parker, 1995, p. 25). In conclusion, the interpretation of dreams can be beneficial despite the difficulties.
