1. 4 Dream Theories Freud’s Theory of Dreams Activation-Synthesis Theory
Information-Processing Theory
Neural Housekeeping Theory

2. 1. Freud’s Theory of Dreams
Dreams reflect a person’s unconscious wishes & urges
People dream in symbols
Able to express unconscious wishes we find unacceptable in real life
Manifest Content (storyline/plot)
Latent Content (hidden/disguised meaning)

3. 2. Activation-Synthesis Theory
Our Cerebral Cortex is trying to interpret random electrical activity we have while sleeping.
Side-effects of neurons firing
Why dreams make no sense
Biological theory

4. 3. Information-Processing Theory
“Problem-Solving”
Way to deal with everyday life
Rehearse stressful situations
Tend to dream more when we are stressed

5. 4. Neural Housekeeping Theory
Brain eliminating or strengthening neural connections.
Cleaning up brain files