The Function of Dreams Is to Solve Real-Life Problems

Adler: The Function of Dreams Is to Solve Real-Life Problems

Alfred Adler (1870-1937) was an Austrian psychiatrist and a former disciple of Freud. After parting ways with Freud, he founded the school of "Individual Psychology" based on his critique of Freud. Adler emphasized the study of the function of dreams, considering them as attempts to solve problems and overcome difficulties. According to him, if one courageously confronts life's challenges, they will have fewer dreams.

While Adler believed that the primary function of dreams is problem-solving, he did not consider the solutions presented in dreams to always be beneficial. He pointed out that in dreams, individuals may deceive themselves, and the answers provided by dreams may only offer temporary satisfaction without effectively progressing towards the desired goals. Furthermore, if a person repeatedly has the same dream, it signifies a repetitive response to a particular problem. If the solution given in the dream is incorrect, it means that the individual is repeatedly deceiving themselves.

Adler opposed the strict separation of consciousness and the unconscious and rejected Freud's proposition that dreams are the fulfillment of desires, as he believed it lacked universal significance. He argued that if a dream is confusing and the dreamer forgets or fails to understand it, then what satisfaction can be derived from such a dream? While everyone dreams, very few truly understand their dreams, so what happiness can dreamers derive from them?

Adler emphasized the connection between dreams and life, stating that dreams are undoubtedly products of one's lifestyle and contribute to the construction and reinforcement of that lifestyle. Additionally, he believed that the emotions expressed in dreams will permeate into future life experiences. Adler stressed the individuality of dreams, considering them as products of an individual's interpretation of their specific environment and emphasizing the need to relate dreams to the dreamer's issues, behavior, and early life. Therefore, he objected to interpreting dreams using fixed rules, as dream interpretation is a personal matter, even when dealing with symbols or metaphors, which cannot be explained by general formulas.

Adler viewed dreams as a continuation of pre-sleep thoughts rather than a fundamentally different state, and he recognized the adaptive value of dreams in helping individuals navigate their problems. Furthermore, he opposed using fixed rules for dream interpretation, emphasizing that each person is unique, and dream analysis should be tailored to their individual issues, behavior, and early life experiences.