by Kathryn D. Perez

Created on: January 19, 2011   Last Updated: January 21, 2011

Sigmund Freud was a frontrunner in many psychological theories, including the interpretation of dreams.  There are many issues involving Dr. Freud that some do not consider when they begin to use him as a source of information.  For example, his work was typically conducted on Caucasian men usually in their early to middle age adult life.  This can provide a foundation for research but should not be a definitive determination for all future researchers.  One of the psychological issues that Dr. Freud dealt with was the interpretation of dreams.

Dream interpretation

Dream interpretation involves listening to dreams and then determining what those dreams may mean.  Dr. Freud tended to put a sexual connotation on every thought, memory, behavior and even dream.  Dr. Freud was adamant that his structure of the meanings of dreams was so accurate that he wrote some books on the subject.  His preconceived notions were many times baseless but because he was self-assured he refused to listen to critics of his diagnoses or his theories.  This limits many who look at dream interpretation by following Dr. Freud’s research. 

Dr. Freud’s contradiction

Sigmund Freud states in his book:  Dream Psychology: Psychoanalysis for Beginners that the dreamer would be able to interpret his own dreams.  He also contradicts this statement by clearly saying that one cannot be relied upon to determine the interpretations of their own dreams without the help of a trained analyst.  His indication that one can analyze their own dreams by using this book but also recommending that they seek professional assistance in their interpretation is cause for concern.  Dr. Freud’s arrogance shows through in underestimating the intellect of the layperson. 

Alfred Adler’s criticism

Alfred Adler, another prominent psychiatrist, addressed Freud’s dream interpretation theory and decided differently.  Where Freud believed there was separation between the conscious and unconscious mind, Adler believed there is much more of a connection between the two.  Not only did he argue against Freud’s dream theory, he even indicated that he believed that dreams were not always a method for the mind to decipher events that had already passed, but also a method which they could be a way to see into the future.  For example, one may have a problem with an issue and be able to dream the solution to the

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