1. Introductory Psychology Concepts
Dreams
Instructor name
Class Title, Term/Semester, Year
Institution
© 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

2. Percentage of Respondents Reporting at Least One
Dreams: a normal part of sleep
(Tend to be) Subjective to the person having them
Common elements frequently occur in everyone’s dreams
Percentage of Respondents Reporting at Least One
Thematic Element
Males
Females
Aggression Friendliness Sexuality Misfortune Success Failure
47%
44%
Source: Schneiger; A., & Domhoff, G.W. (2002).

3. Stages of REM Sleep and Dreams

4. Sleep Deprivation Causes:
Sleep disorders
People wanting to stay awake
Worry (anxiety, stress, depression, etc.)
Drug usage (prescription, over the counter, or illegal drugs)
Although most people report sleeping between eight and nine hours per night, the amount varies a great deal.

5. Dream Theories Freud’s Unconscious Wish Fulfillment Theory
Dreaming is the gratification of unconscious desires and needs.
According to Freud:
Latent Content:
“Disguised” meanings of dreams.
Hidden by more obvious subjects.
Manifest Content:
Apparent storyline of dreams.

6. Theories of Dreaming Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis
Allan Hobson’s theory
The brain produces random electrical energy during REM sleep.
Stimulates memories lodged in various portions of the brain.
According to Hobson:
The scenario a dreamer produces is not random.
It is a clue to the dreamer’s
fears
emotions
concerns
Dreams start as random processes and culminate into something meaningful.

7. Theories of Dreaming Cognitive Theories Problem solving dream model
Dreams are not constrained by reality
Help find creative solutions to problems and concerns (Cartwright, 1977)