A dreamscape symbolizing the subconscious and emotions, with flowing water and ethereal figures, evoking mystery and introspection.
There are two key approaches to dream interpretation: the Subjective-Objective Assumption and the Rule of Known and Unknown Images. These approaches help determine whether a dream reflects the dreamer's inner psyche or external life.
The Subjective-Objective Assumption
Dreams can be interpreted as either subjective or objective:
- Subjective Dreams: All characters, objects, and images in the dream reflect the dreamer's inner self or aspects of their psyche.
- Objective Dreams: The dream refers to real objects, people, events, or situations in the outside world.
For example, in Jung's view, interpreting a dream with a supervisor could either be about the dreamer’s real relationship with their supervisor (objective) or about different parts of the dreamer's inner self (subjective).
The Rule of Known and Unknown Images
This rule helps to determine whether a dream should be interpreted subjectively or objectively:
- Known People, Places, and Situations: If a dream features familiar people, places, or events from the dreamer’s current life, it is more likely objective and reflects external relationships.
- Unknown People, Places, and Situations: If the dream contains unfamiliar or unknown images, they are more likely subjective, representing aspects of the dreamer's inner psyche.
Examples of Dream Interpretation
Here are two examples that demonstrate subjective and objective interpretations:
- Mickey Mantle’s Dream: In his recurring dream, Mantle, due to his leg injuries, couldn’t reach first base. Since this dream involved familiar situations from Mantle’s real life, it is an objective dream.
- The Semitruck Dream: A dreamer named Larry dreamt of pedaling a large semitruck up a hill. Since Larry is not a truck driver and the situation was unrealistic, it is a subjective dream, representing Larry’s internal struggles.
Exception to the Rule
There are exceptions to the Rule of Known and Unknown Images:
- People, places, and situations from the distant past or those that are famous, such as celebrities, might not be part of the dreamer’s current life but can still be interpreted as subjective.
For example:
- Marjorie’s Dream: She dreamt of a high school friend at an office party in a high school gym. Since the friend was from her distant past, the dream is interpreted subjectively.
- John’s Dream: John dreamt of being in a motorboat with the famous actor Gregory Peck. Since Peck is not part of John’s life, this is a subjective dream.
Qualitative Attributes of Dreams
In addition to the Rule of Known and Unknown Images, there are three qualitative attributes that help distinguish between subjective and objective dreams:
- Realistic-Unrealistic: Subjective dreams tend to have more unrealistic qualities, with unknown characters or imaginary settings, while objective dreams have more realistic, familiar elements.
- Simple-Complex: Subjective dreams are often more complex, with many characters, scene changes, and unusual occurrences, while objective dreams are simpler, with fewer characters and familiar events.
See Also: Dreams, Subjective, Objective, Known, Unknown Images
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