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Digital Methods of Analyzing Dreams

Kelly Bulkeley

Oxford University Press eBooks June 24, 2023 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780197609606.003.0009 (opens in new tab)

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Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Key points Argues that ordinary dream interpretation needs to be supplemented by digital data-analysis tools when dealing with long dream series, and proposes applying a simple word-search method to dream reports via the Sleep and Dream Database. The chapter also examines whether dream reports are legitimate data, whether the approach works across cultures, languages, and historical periods, and whether interpreting dreams without the dreamer's input is legitimate.

Abstract

Abstract This chapter introduces the use of digital methods for the study of dreams. The volume of material in a long series of dreams can be so great that ordinary methods of dream interpretation need to be supplemented by new tools of data analysis. In this project, a simple word-search method is applied to the dream reports, using the resources of the Sleep and Dream Database (SDDb), an online archive and search engine. Because this kind of approach is relatively new and likely to be unfamiliar to many readers, several basic questions are discussed here: Are dream reports a legitimate source of data for use with these kinds of tools? Can we use digital methods with the dreams of people from different cultures, languages, and periods of history? Is it legitimate to interpret people’s dreams without any associations or direct input from the dreamer?

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