An Investigation of Neo-psychoanalytic Dream Type/ Content and Its Relationship to Personality

The relationship between personality variables and dream content has been studied, but evidence for a Jungian interpretation is mixed. After reviewing the literature, the authors hypothesized a significant correlation between dream content and personality typology. In a study of 49 students (38 female, 11 male) enrolled in Developmental Psychology classes at East Tennessee State University in 1988, participants engaged in dream therapy for two weeks using the Pearlman Dream Technique, an Adlerian-based approach. They also completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Gordon Personal Profile Inventory, and the Jungian Archetypal Personality Inventory. Correlation analysis suggests that more intuitive, introspective individuals have a more active imaginal (dream) life, while more outgoing personalities have less elaborate archetypal dreams. Common dreams served less of a balancing function than deeper archetypal dreams.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Several studies have investigated the relationship between personality variables and dream content. The evidence for a Jungian interpretation of dreaming and character logic functioning is equivocal. After a review of the literature, the authors hypothesize that there is a significant correlation between content of the dream and personality typology. The subjects of this study were students at East Tennessee State University, all enrolled in two Developmental Psychology classes (the classes were taken as an elective by the majority of the subjects with participation in the study an option of the course). A total of 49 subjects, 38 females and 11 males, were recruited during the spring academic semester, 1988. The subjects were engaged in dream therapy for two weeks. The Pearlman Dream Technique, an Adlerean based approach, was used in the dream survey and interpretation. Subjects also completed the Myers-Briggs Type indicator, the Gordon Personal Profile Inventory, and the Jungian Archetypal Personality Inventory. Correlation analysis comparing personality types and dream content and format suggests that a more intuitive, introspective character is manifested through a more active imaginal (i.e., dream) life. More outgoing personalities were found to have less elaborate archetypical dreams. Finally, Common dreams served less of “balancing” function in people’s lives than the deeper structure archetypal dreams.