ABSTRACT
Two elements are central in the Freudian model of the dream: the first is the delay of gratification of needs, the second, regression. In dreaming, as in thinking, an added backward flow occurs alongside the usual forward flow. In dreaming the back and forth movement of the memory traces is a continuous process in the course of which they are continuously modified. The dream thought meeting the pre-conscious could be channelled into motor activity—but then the dream would be broken off. Reflection-as-mirroring is the precondition for the regression, the backward flow, needed for dreaming to take place. Dreaming only becomes possible if there is a reflective instance in the psychical apparatus that throws back the unconscious content, thus making it once again available to the psychical apparatus. Reflection-for-thinking presupposes reflection-as-mirroring in dreaming—for without mirroring no regressive stream of thoughts can occur.
