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Sleep and Dreaming

Freud's theory of dreaming and activation synthesis theory

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2

Overview

Manifest and latent content, dreamwork, condensation, displacement and symbolisation, and Hobson and McCarley's random activation, sensory blockade, movement inhibition and synthesis.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What did Freud believe is the purpose of dreams?

Key term

What is manifest content?

Key term

What is latent content?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What did Freud believe is the purpose of dreams?

    Model answer

    Freud believed dreams are a form of wish fulfilment. Dreams let unconscious desires be expressed in a disguised, harmless form.

  2. 2

    What is manifest content?

    Model answer

    Manifest content is the storyline of a dream as the dreamer remembers it. A dream about missing a train, as recalled, is its manifest content.

  3. 3

    What is latent content?

    Model answer

    Latent content is the hidden, unconscious meaning behind a dream. Freud believed latent content usually involves repressed wishes, often sexual or aggressive.

  4. 4

    What is dreamwork?

    Model answer

    Dreamwork is the unconscious process that turns latent content into manifest content. The disguise stops disturbing wishes from waking the dreamer.

  5. 5

    What are condensation and displacement in dreamwork?

    Model answer

    Condensation combines several ideas into a single dream image. Displacement shifts feelings about one person or object onto something less threatening.

  6. 6

    What is symbolisation in dreamwork?

    Model answer

    Symbolisation is the use of an object in a dream to stand for a hidden wish or person. Freud claimed a train entering a tunnel could symbolise sex.

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