Abstract

Decoding Dreams: Psychoanalytic and Jungian Perspectives

Harshaa Goel

Volume: 15 Issue: 3 2025

Abstract:

Dream interpretation has been a subject of fascination in psychology, with two major frameworks—Freud’s psychoanalytic theory and Jung’s analytical psychology—continuing to influence clinical and academic approaches. This study examines quantitative data collected from participants and includes a follow up interview with a few of them. To gain a deeper understanding of dreams I have applied both Freudian and Jungian views. Freud’s view frames dreams as disguised fulfillments of repressed desires, transformed through mechanisms such as displacement, condensation, and symbolization. Carl Jung viewed dreams as vital messages from the unconscious, offering insights into personal growth and individuation. He believed dreams are not merely about repressed desires but rather serve a compensatory function, balancing conscious attitudes and revealing hidden aspects of the self . Thematic analysis revealed recurrent motifs: pursuit and escape, transformation, unfamiliar encounters with known figures, encounters with unknown figures, and symbolic locations. The findings suggest that dreams can simultaneously operate on personal and archetypal levels, offering richer meaning when interpreted through both frameworks. Clinical implications of an integrated approach to dream work are also discussed.

DOI: http://doi.org/10.37648/ijrssh.v15i03.005

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