---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Accordingly, identification, or the…"
description: "\"“Accordingly, identification, or the formation of composite figures, serves different purposes: first, to represent a feature both persons have in comm..."
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---

#  Accordingly, identification, or the formation of composite…

![“Accordingly, identification, or the formation of composite figures, serves different purposes: first, to represent a feature both persons have in common; secondly, to represent a displaced common feature; but thirdly, to find expression for a common feature that is merely wished for . Since…” quote by Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/sigmund-freud-360_1899_accordingly-identification-or-the-format_3036362.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/sigmund-freud-360_1899_accordingly-identification-or-the-format_3036362.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/sigmund-freud-360_1899_accordingly-identification-or-the-format_3036362.jpg)

> ““Accordingly, identification, or the formation of composite figures, serves different purposes: first, to represent a feature both persons have in common; secondly, to represent a displaced common feature; but thirdly, to find expression for a common feature that is merely wished for . Since wishing it to be the case that two people have something in common is often the same as exchanging them, this relation too is expressed in the dream by identification. In the dream of Irma's injection, I wish to exchange this patient for another, that is, I wish that the other were my patient, as Irma is; the dream takes account of the wish in showing me a figure who is called Irma, but who is examined in a posture in which I have only had occasion to see the other.””

[Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Freud explains that identifying with others in dreams reflects a desire to share or exchange traits, revealing unconscious wishes for similarity.

**In simple terms:** Dreams show wishes to share traits.

Key Takeaway

Explore shared identities.

Themes

psychology dreams identity

Mood

introspective thoughtful

Type

psychological interpretive

When to use this quote

- therapy
- self‑reflection
- relationship counseling

Key Concepts

projection wish fulfillment commonality

Questions to Reflect On

- What traits do you wish to share?
- How do you identify with others?

A Different Perspective

Dreams may reveal conscious desires, not just hidden fears.

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