A New Way of Analysing Dreams on Its Profoundest Level: The Development of Motif Analysis and Phase Model (MAP) as an Extension of Structural Dream Analysis (SDA)
Behavioral Sciences August 1, 2024 Patrick Jenni, Christian Rœsler 2 citations
A new method called Motif Analysis and Phase Model (MAP) was developed to examine how dream motifs change during psychotherapy and relate to waking life. Analysis of 217 dreams from one male subject, first using Structural Dream Analysis and then linking content to waking life through guided interviews, showed a strong connection between dream content and both psychotherapy and waking experiences. Five motifs with structural changes were identified, leading to a four-phase model. A transformative child motif appeared at turning points. However, the course of dream patterns and the agency of the dream ego did not change. The method and generalizability were critically discussed.