latent content
The hidden, unconscious meaning and wishes underlying a dream's surface narrative.
Full Definition
The unconscious thoughts, wishes, and conflicts that form the true meaning of a dream, concealed beneath the manifest content through the process of dream work. Latent content typically contains forbidden sexual or aggressive impulses, repressed memories, and unresolved conflicts that would be too threatening to consciousness if experienced directly. Psychoanalytic dream interpretation aims to uncover this latent content through analysis of symbols, associations, and the dreamer's emotional responses to dream elements.
Usage
Usage note: Always contrast with manifest content. The hyphen is essential when used as an adjective to distinguish from general latent meaning.
In Context
- "The latent content of the flying dream revealed wishes for sexual freedom and escape from maternal control." — Dream interpretation
- "Accessing latent content requires careful analysis of the patient's associations to dream elements." — Supervision notes