Final answer:
Sigmund Freud used free association to uncover the latent content of his patients' dreams, a fundamental component of his psychoanalytic technique aimed at exposing unconscious thoughts and feelings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sigmund Freud used the technique of free association to discover the latent content of his patients' dreams. Freud's approach to psychoanalysis involved having patients talk freely about their thoughts, feelings, and dreams, allowing them to express whatever came to mind without censorship. This process was intended to reveal the unconscious thoughts and emotions that contribute to their psychological distress. Free association was a cornerstone of Freudian analysis and was used alongside the interpretation of dreams to explore the deeper, unconscious layers of the psyche, revealing hidden desires and conflicts.