James Fosshage (Fosshage, 1992, p. 255) similarly notes that dreams (and other modes of primary process) use “visual and other sensory images with intense affective colorations in serving an over-all integrative and synthetic function.” Like many of the ego psychologists, such as Erik Erikson, Fosshage emphasizes this synthetic function in dreams. Much as Freud focused on the multi-level meaning of many symbols used in dreams, the ego psychologists suggest that vivid visual images in dreams can pull together various psychic “objects” (ideas, thoughts, feelings, and memories) (Fosshage, 1992, p. 259). These images might even serve a function that complexity theories call “strange attraction” (Lorenz,1995). Much like an avalanche of snow recruits debris as it moves forcefully down the mountainside, a rich visual image in a dream might pull in loosely related psychic “objects.”
Louis Breger puts it this way: “dreams serve to integrate affectively aroused material into structures within the memory systems that have previously proved satisfactory in dealing with similar material.” (quoted by Fosshage, 1992, p. 260). Making use of the metaphor of a peremptory ideational train, we might suggest that the train is often initially composed of closely related memories (in a specific memory system or schemata); then, affectively aroused material which is closely related to these memories will step on the train; this material will, in addition, attract other psychic objects that may only be tangentially related to this affective material or the memories that were the original passengers on this train.
Moving Forward and Healing: While the use of symbols and images in a dream to synthesize helps the dreamer gain a complex portrait of their current situation, a synthesizing dream can also help the dreamer move forward, beyond their current condition. These dreams can help us solve problems and heal. In waking life, schemata are often engaged for this healing process to take place. For instance, Jeffrey Young (Young, Klosko and Weishaar, 2006) helps his clients identify maladaptive emotional and behavioral patterns that emerge in response to outdated or imposed schemas, influencing moment-to-moment reactions. New schemata are formed that provide a foundation for safe attachment, emotional expression, autonomy, and realistic limits. These behavioral patterns, in turn, contribute to the stabilization of this new schema. Similarly, dreams can bring together painful (often childhood-based) images and fears, while also bringing in a comforting loved one from the past who provides comfort and reassurance.
