SECONDARY ELABORATION Meaning and
Definition
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Secondary elaboration refers to a psychological process observed in dream analysis, specifically in terms of psychoanalytic theory. Introduced by Sigmund Freud, this term describes the unconscious activity of modifying or expanding the content of a dream in an effort to make it more coherent or acceptable to the dreamer's conscious mind.
When we dream, the unconscious mind generates a series of thoughts, emotions, and images that may initially appear random or disconnected. However, the process of secondary elaboration takes place as the mind attempts to organize these fragmented elements into a more rational or logical narrative. This process can involve the addition of new symbols, events, or details to the dream, as well as the revision of existing content to create a more understandable story.
Secondary elaboration is believed to be driven by the dreamer's desire to make sense of the often bizarre or nonsensical elements encountered during sleep. It serves as a protective mechanism by disguising or distorting unconscious desires, conflicts, or anxieties, allowing them to be expressed indirectly through symbolic representations.
While secondary elaboration can make the dream more accessible to the conscious mind, it can also complicate the interpretation of dreams. Psychoanalytic theorists argue that the true meaning of a dream lies in the latent content, which is the hidden, unconscious desires or conflicts behind the dream. Secondary elaboration may obscure this deeper meaning by adding superficial or socially acceptable elements.
Overall, secondary elaboration refers to the process by which the unconscious mind attempts to make sense of the often puzzling and symbolic content of dreams, in order to bridge the gap between unconscious desires and conscious awareness.
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In a dream analysis, the bringing into orderly arrangement of the bizarre elements and inconsistencies of the dream content.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SECONDARY ELABORATION
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Etymology of SECONDARY ELABORATION
The term "secondary elaboration" comes from the field of psychoanalysis, specifically from Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory. It was first used by Freud himself to describe a process that occurs during dream formation.
The word "elaboration" derives from the Latin word "elaborare", meaning "to work out" or "to develop". In psychoanalysis, it refers to the mental process whereby unconscious thoughts and feelings are shaped and transformed into more conscious and understandable forms.
The term "secondary" is used in contrast to "primary", as Freud distinguished two types of thought processes in dreams. Primary process thinking represents the unconscious, irrational, and unorganized thoughts and desires, whereas secondary process thinking refers to conscious, logical, and organized thought.
Therefore, "secondary elaboration" refers to the process by which the unconscious and fragmented content of a dream is transformed and organized into a more coherent and accessible experience during its recall.
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