Freuds Theory of the mind

• ID - selfish / pleasure principle-unconscious

  EGO - compromise / reality principle - conscious

  SUPEREGO - principles / morality - conscious / unconscious
• The ID is supressed by the EGO when we are awake. When we are asleep the EGO is supressed so the desires of the ID rise to the surface in the form of dreams
• Function of dreaming:

  • allows expression of primitive urges
  • symbolism to protect conscious mind
• WISH FULLFILMENT - we dream about what we want
• Dreams contain:

  • manifest content (what the dream appears to be about )
  • Latent content ( the true meaning of the dream )
• Support

  A study showed that patients suffering from strokes lose their capacity to dream if there is damage to areas of the forebrain ( linked to desires). This suggests a link between desires and dreaming
• PET SCANS show the rational brain is switched of during dreaming while the forebrain is fully activated. This supports Freuds idea that the ID is active but the EGO is not
• Criticism

  • Unscientific
  • Unfalsifiable ( cannot be supported )
  • Dreams cannot be measured objectively
  • Most evidence from case studies so cannot be generalised to the wider population
  • Content of dreams may mirror real life and not be symbolic