Names and dream-work.

Abstract

Four dreams are reported in which associations leading to previously unacknowledged material were elicited by asking about names. Inquiry into names and distortions of names (rhymes, puns, contractions, initials, visual symbols) is a useful technique in the provocation of emotionally-laden connections. A possible explanation lies in the parallel between naturally occurring name transformations and the dream work of regression, displacement, condensation and symbolization.