DREAMSVirtually everyone dreams-Functions of dreamsoProcessing emotional memoriesoLearning new strategiesoReorganizing and consolidating memoriesoIncrease ability to cope with threats-Four major theories of dreamsoFreud's dream protection theory-Dreams transform our sexual and aggressive instincts into symbols that represent wish fulfillment.-Ego at rest-Requires interpretation-Manifest vs. latent content-Rejected by most scientists-Most dreams about negative content-Very few sexual content (<10%)-Straightforward dream content-Wish fulfillment =/ negative contentoActivation synthesis theory-Dreams- brain attempt to make sense of random neural signals during REM -Originate in the pons and moves to the forebrainoForebrain Theory-Alternate to AST, emphasize role of forebrain in dreaming-Damage to forebrain can eliminate dreams completely even if pons are intact-Dreams are consistent over time, not random as AST predictsoNeurocognitive Theory-Dreams are a meaningful product of our cognitive capacities, which shape what we dream about-Dreams of adults are more complex and frequent than those of
View Full Document