1. Dreaming Research into the nature of dreaming Research into the nature of dreaming Brain activity Brain activity Duration Duration Content Content psychlotron.org.uk

2. Dreams vs. Reality Empson (1983) Empson (1983) ‘Spectator’ perspective (usually) ‘Spectator’ perspective (usually) Logic of waking consciousness does not apply Logic of waking consciousness does not apply Quickly forgotten Quickly forgotten Hobson (1995) Hobson (1995) Hallucinations Hallucinations Cognitive abnormalities Cognitive abnormalities Emotional intensity Emotional intensity psychlotron.org.uk

3. Dreaming & REM Sleep REM sleep entered 4-5 times every night REM sleep entered 4-5 times every night REM periods lengthen towards waking REM periods lengthen towards waking REM is characterised by: REM is characterised by: Rapid, darting eye movements Rapid, darting eye movements Changes in heart rate, respiration Changes in heart rate, respiration Muscular paralysis Muscular paralysis Alterations in brain activity Alterations in brain activity psychlotron.org.uk

4. Dreaming & REM Sleep Deep sleep (SWS) Deep sleep (SWS) Large, slow waves Synchronised REM sleep REM sleep Rapid Desynchronised Like waking EEG psychlotron.org.uk

5. Dreaming & REM Sleep Dement & Kleitman (1957) Dement & Kleitman (1957) PPs woken in either REM or NREM sleep PPs woken in either REM or NREM sleep REM: reported dreaming 80% of time REM: reported dreaming 80% of time NREM reported dreaming 15% of time NREM reported dreaming 15% of time REM clearly associated with dreams REM clearly associated with dreams But may occur at other times (sleepwalking) But may occur at other times (sleepwalking) psychlotron.org.uk

6. REM Sleep & the Brain PGO waves PGO waves Activation of occipital cortex (vision) Activation of occipital cortex (vision) Spreading to thalamus, sensory & motor cortex (hearing, touch, vision) Spreading to thalamus, sensory & motor cortex (hearing, touch, vision) psychlotron.org.uk

7. Dream Duration Dement & Kleitman (1957) Dement & Kleitman (1957) Relationship between REM duration and: Relationship between REM duration and: (1) estimates of dream length (1) estimates of dream length (2) length of dream descriptions (2) length of dream descriptions psychlotron.org.uk

8. Dream Content Kahn et al (2000) – people in dreams Kahn et al (2000) – people in dreams 50% known to sleeper 50% known to sleeper 30% generic roles e.g. police officer 30% generic roles e.g. police officer Hardly any completely unknown Hardly any completely unknown Cartwright et al (1984) Cartwright et al (1984) Relationship between life events (e.g. divorce) and dream content Relationship between life events (e.g. divorce) and dream content psychlotron.org.uk

9. Dream Content Dement & Kleitman (1957) Dement & Kleitman (1957) NREM dreams more mundane & more similar to waking thoughts than REM dreams NREM dreams more mundane & more similar to waking thoughts than REM dreams Antrobus (1983) Antrobus (1983) REM dreams more likely to (1) have a story- like narrative; (2) include bizarre events REM dreams more likely to (1) have a story- like narrative; (2) include bizarre events psychlotron.org.uk