Dreams: What are they? We don’t know! They occur all night EVERYONE DREAMS many different theories as to why we dream

Dreaming subjective experience of remembered and imaginary images, sounds/voices, words, thoughts or sensations during sleep.

Dreaming (REM) sleep, lighter sleep that occurs more during latter portion of sleep cycle: rapid eye movements, stimulation of the pons, increased respiratory/heart rate, temporary paralysis of body.

Dreams:Why do we do it? 1. Unconscious wish fulfillment Theory- Sigmund Freud id / ego / superego your ego lets down its guard your desires come through

Freud’s theory The id becomes more powerful, showing you unconscious wishes and desires (pleasure) Superego – moral conscience/ ego ideal (idealistic) The ego disguises these wishes with symbols (reality)

Why do we dream? Latent content- the REAL meaning of a dream Manifest Content- the reported story line of the dream DREAM ANALYSIS

Universal Symbols Mean the same thing across humankind receptacles- women phallic symbols- men/power houses- security

Universal Symbols Windows- receptive to help? Clear or cloudy? Doors- source of a problem a threshold open in, out, or revolving

Universal Symbols Water- rebirth, cleansing cars/vehicles- sex drive, aggression, and power disfigurement- loss of self esteem through performance males: performance failure!

Universal Symbols Loss of teeth- loss of self esteem by getting caught/unprepared chasing- the “unknown specter” never know what’s chasing you.

Universal Symbols Usually in slow motion or you are paralyzed closer the unknown thing is, the longer the problem goes on.

Other Symbols Conventional Symbols- everyday things. No real meaning. Accidental Symbols- have a special meaning for only you

OTHER SYMBOLS Displacement- replacing one person, object, or location with another painful situations condensation- combining multiple things into one symbol

Why do we dream? 2. Reverse Learning Theory- NO MEANING whatsoever2. Reverse Learning Theory- NO MEANING whatsoever Dream is a side effect of purging memoriesDream is a side effect of purging memories mental housecleaningmental housecleaning remember the sleep theories?remember the sleep theories?

Why do we dream? 3. Dreams for Survival- inherited through our ancestors reprocess key concerns to be stored for quicker reactions Perform better in future

Why do we dream? 4. Activation Synthesis theory- random pulses of energy take place in REM sleep, starting in the pons Dreamer puts these random thoughts into logical storyline

Why do we dream? 5. Eclectic Theory- combination of other theories. Pons DOES have random impulses the story line is affected by your concerns/desires

Eclectic Theory Combines Activation-synthesis and Dreams for Survival theories. Dreams originate with random electrical impulses Brain uses key concerns to weave impulses into logical story.

THE TYPES OF DREAMS 1. Wish-fulfilling- an unresolved desire Freud- sexual in nature others: it’s much more straightforward

The TYPES OF DREAMS 2. Problem Solving- find solutions to problems you’ve experienced unconscious puts things together doors/ windows

TYPES OF DREAMS 3. Recurrent- “over and over” Activation Synthesis- placed in the similar order by the brain Freud- a BIG problem or desire.

TYPES OF DREAMS 4. Prophetic- foretells the future subconsciously place things together? Pot luck? Divine spirits?

Other dreams Epic – grand, vivid dreams that are hard to forget Daydreams – NREM dreaming during waking hours -- let our imagination carry us away Lucid dreams – take control