dream analysis - evaluation

• EFFECTIVENESS - research evidence supports idea that dreams are the workings of the ID

  Solms (2000) - PET scans used to identify brain regions active during dreaming

  f = rational part of brain (ego) inactive > areas concerned with memory and motivation (where repressed memories and desires stored in unconscious) - very active

  sug - analysing content of dreams = effective way to uncover repressed unconscious desires and conflicts

  make us consciously aware of them > can be dealt with and resolve disorder
• EFFECTIVENESS - evidence supports effectiveness to help improve self-esteem and gain insight

  Falk + Hill - compared 22 separated + divorcing women (22-57) in 8 week dream interpretation groups to 12 control

  exp group - improvement comp to control in self-esteem and insight

  DA appears to be effective at helping women adjust to life changes associated with divorce
• EFFECTIVENESS - based on subjective interpretations of manifest content

  Freud didn't support idea of dream dictionaries as interpretations need to be made in context of persons life

  sometimes an interpretation isn't appropriate because manifest content is literal interpretation of memory rather than symbol of something in unconscious

  difficult to scientifically demonstrate that the interpretation leads to effective treatment of disorders

  one therapist may offer entirely different interpretation from another
• Conc

  findings from brain scans

  not as objective

  not as widely used > not trusted/reliable as other therapies (modern) it doesn't work as well
• ETHICAL - psychological harm - being aware of conflicts may be distressing

  works by revealing repressed desires/conflicts from childhood > desires repressed by ego's defence mechanisms because they may've been traumatic if we were to be consciously aware of them

  potential for client to experience psychological harm in the process of acknowledging unconscious issues
• ETHICAL - DA has potential to create false memories in people (FMS - false memory syndrome)

  there are documented cases of therapists leading people to inaccurately remember instances of abuse/other unpleasant past experiences

  FMS - strongly affects people's identity/relationships + has negative repercussions for those who may be falsely accused of causing the unpleasant situation

  EXT - Troon et al = some therapists intentionally encourage false memories so therapy will last longer and they'll make more money
• ETHICAL - power imbalance between therapist and client

  therapist takes expert role and offers patient insight into unconscious

  patient is therefore reliant on therapist for making progress through therapy

  can lead to client becoming overly-dependent on therapist and unable to face their problems on their own
• EFFECTIVENESS - addresses underlying cause of psych/behavioural disorder

  DA works on uncovering repressed unconscious conflicts/desires that may have occurred in early childhood

  bringing them to the surface + confronting the issue > result in long-term end to the problems they were causing in later life

  strength compared to other therapies (bio and behavioural) which only treat symptoms of problem

  EXT - DA should therefore avoid problems such as 'revolving door' where people have to keep returning to therapy as symptoms reoccur