A biological theory of dreaming LO1: To revise the key definitions of Hobson & McCarley’s (1977) activation-synthesis theory. LO2: To evaluate their theory, examining strengths and weaknesses.

Starter – Activation-synthesis cryptogram In 1977 Hobson and McCarley came up with a biological theory of dreaming, which is very different from Freud’s psychological theory. They state that dreams are random messages in the brain being interpreted to make a story. Messages are activated randomly, and then synthesized (put together) into a story.  Task: Complete the activation synthesis Cryptogram.

Quiz 1. Which researchers proposed the activation-synthesis theory of dreaming? (1) 2. What does REM stand for? (1) 3. How many times does REM occur each night? (1) 4. How many different stages of sleep are there in total? (1) 5. ‘During REM sleep no information enters through the senses’ – which key terms describes this statement? (1) 6. What is/are randomly activated during REM sleep? (1) 7. What does EEG stand for? (1) 8. What does and EEG allow scientists to do? (1) 9. ‘During REM sleep the body is paralysed and there is no movement’ – which key term describes this statement? (1) 10. What does the term ‘synthesis’ mean in relation to activation-synthesis? (1)

A biological theory of dreaming LO1: To revise the key definitions of Hobson & McCarley’s (1977) activation-synthesis theory. LO2: To evaluate their theory, examining strengths and weaknesses. 

Evidence for activation-synthesis Read page 66. 1) What evidence is there for the activation-synthesis theory? 2) What did Hobson say about activation-synthesis theory in 1999? Read page 67. 3) Hobson and McCarley tested cats for their research. Does this prove their theory?

Weaknesses of activation-synthesis theory 4) When reporting a dream, what sorts of things do people report? What does this tell us? 5) According to Hobson and McCarley, do dreams make sense? Explain your answer. 6) What is lucid dreaming? 7) What piece of evidence from young children suggests that dreams are not simply linked to REM sleep?

Plenary  Draw a table and include at least two strengths & weaknesses for Hobson & McCarley’s (1977) activation-synthesis theory. StrengthsWeaknesses