Which technique did Freud use to explore the thoughts manifested during dreams?

The correct choice highlights Freud's emphasis on dream analysis as a significant component of his psychoanalytic theory. Freud believed that dreams were a pathway to understanding unconscious desires and conflicts. He proposed that dreams contain both manifest content, which is the literal storyline of the dream, and latent content, representing the hidden psychological meanings and underlying motives.

Freud used dream analysis as a therapeutic technique to help individuals uncover these latent meanings, revealing insights into their unconscious mind and allowing for a deeper understanding of their psychological issues. He famously stated that "dreams are the royal road to the unconscious," underscoring the importance he attributed to dreams in psychoanalytic practice.

While the other techniques mentioned serve various therapeutic goals, they do not specifically align with Freud's approach to interpreting dreams. Cognitive therapy focuses on altering thought patterns rather than exploring unconscious content. Free association, although related to Freud’s work, operates differently by encouraging patients to share thoughts freely, which may include dream material but isn't exclusive to dream analysis. Biofeedback is a technique oriented toward physiological responses and self-regulation rather than the exploration of unconscious processes as demonstrated in dream analysis.