A computer analysis of the Schreber Memoirs

With the aid of a computerized system for content analysis, WORDS, the complete Schreber Memoirs was subjected to various multivariate reduction techniques in order to investigate the major content themes of this document. The findings included the prevalence of somatic concerns throughout the Memoirs, clear references to persecutory ideas and to Schreber's assumption of a redemptive role, complex encapsulated concerns about Schreber's relationship with God, a lack of any close relationship between sexuality and sexual transformation either to themes of castration or procreation, and the fact that neither sun, God, nor Flechsig was significantly associated with clusters concerning gender, sexuality, or castration. These findings are discussed in relation to psychodynamic interpretations furnished by prior investigators who employed different research methods.