Compensatory aspects of dreams: an empirical test of Jung's theory.

Jung's hypothesis that dreams have a compensatory function is clearly stated and well-known, yet has not been empirically tested. Three dream reports for each of 62 students were rated on 15 personality dimensions and compared with scores on the same dimensions as measured by the Edwards Personality Preference Schedule and the Adjective Check List (ACL). Six EPPS scales and 10 ACL scales correlated significantly with their appropriate dream rating scales. However, all significant correlations were positive, a finding that does not supoort Jung but is more in line with the theories of Adler, Fromm, and Hall, who regarded dream content as not substantially different from conscious functioning.