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Is Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB)suitable for the content analysis of dreams?
Eckhard Frick M.D , M.A, Christel Halevy Dipl.Psych
This is the first report showing that SASB can be used for the content analysis of dreams.
The present study uses clinical examples originating from psycho-oncologic outpatient
treatment in order to show the chances and limitations of SASB content analysis.
Successful rating requires evaluating all three dimensions of SASB (focus,affiliation and
interdependence).There has to be a sufficient quantity of interactions between
referents,i.e.,the actors.Non-animated objects can be referents in SASB content
analysis provided they are important for dream action.To code descriptions and
affective states,they must be paraphrased into actions.Dream interactions described in
the SASB framework may express the dreamer ‘s habitual,more or less conscious
interaction patterns.Furthermore,dream interactions may reflect unconscious fears,
wishes,conflicts,and problem solutions.Similar to role playing and free association,the
formulation of cyclic maladaptive patterns may provide an important source of creativity
to the dreamer.SASB assisted dream content analysis may critically accompany clinical
hypotheses.In the context of a SASB directed dynamic psychotherapy,empirical results
can stimulate the process of focussing.SASB can be used for coding dream texts as well
as dream induced association chains.The present study also reveals certain limitations
of SASB content analysis:Dreams predominantly expressing emotions without clear
actions (including actions inward,introject focus III)cannot be coded except by infering
the underlying interaction patterns.The same is true for highly descriptive dreams which
may be extremely interesting at the symbolic level but which cannot be rated in the
absence of interactions.(Sleep and Hypnosis 2004;6(1):29-42)
| Keywords: SASB, dreams, content analysis, cyclic maladaptive pattern, psycho-oncology |
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