1. Dream Theories

2. Why Do We Dream? Five Theories The Information-Processing Theory
The Physiological Function Theory
The Cognitive Theory
The Activation-Synthesis Theory
The Wish Fulfillment Theory

3. 1) Information-Processing Theory
Dreams may fix a day’s experiences in our memories.
They may also help us work out problems.
We go to bed with a problem, and when we wake up the problem is solved (or forgotten, which may be a solution in itself).

4. 2) Physiological Function Theory
The brain uses up chemicals during the day
These chemicals are replaced at night
The brain is not able to be inactive
Therefore, dreams keep the brain busy with “old material” while it is being “recharged.”

5. Dreams keep the brain developing neural pathways (the key building blocks of the brain)
For example, the neural networks of newborns are quickly developing; therefore, they need more sleep.

6. 3) Cognitive Development Theory
Some researchers argue that we dream as a part of brain maturation and cognitive development.
Children’s dreams appear to differ from those of adults:
Preschool children report bland images with no story-lines when awoken from REM sleep (if they recall dreaming at all

7. 3) Cognitive Development Theory
children aged 9-11 report dreaming only 20-30% of the time when awoken from REM sleep, as opposed to an adult’s 80% of the time).
Between 5 and 8, children begin to report dream narratives, but these are not well developed.
Adult-like dreams develop at around 11-13, suggesting that dreaming is a cognitive ability that develops gradually.
20-30% in dreams
80% in dreams

8. 4) The Activation-Synthesis Theory
During the night, our brainstem releases random neural activity.
The brain tries to make sense of this randomness
It makes up a “story” around these bits
Logic is shut down during sleep

9. 5) Wish Fulfillment
First and foremost in dream theory is Sigmund Freud.
Considered the father of psychoanalysis
Revolutionized the study of dreams with his book The Interpretation Of Dreams
He called dreams “the royal road to the unconscious.”

10. BUT they get released in different ways by our unconscious
According to Freud…
We all have desires and urges that are not considered acceptable by society
We hold these back – repress them
BUT they get released in different ways by our unconscious
One way is through our dreams

11. Freud’s Dream Theory: Wish Fulfillment
Dreams function to virtually fulfill:
Your unexpressed wishes
Your ungratified needs
Dreams are combinations of early and recent experiences
involve childhood memories and early parental relationships

12. Freud’s View on How Our Minds Work:
Manifest
Your dreams have 2 levels:
MANIFEST – what you actually dream about
LATENT – what your dream symbolically means
Latent

13. So…What do Our Dreams Tell Us about Ourselves???
Dreams reveal what is going on in your unconscious
Your unconscious can act out your hidden desires because you are asleep
BUT – your desires can be so odd and disturbing that your mind might still “censor” them
This results in your dreams being symbolic
Your sleep isn’t disturbed and you don’t wake up as a result of being shocked about the images in your dreams
It results in cryptic and confusing dreams, though