Science of Dreams

Intro to Psychology

Mary Weeks

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Science of Dreams

I chose to study the topic of dreams, because of the mysteries that come along
with them. I have always been curious to further understand why I dream about what I
do. This paper will examine the research we currently have on dreams. There will be a
discussion of the current theories of why we dream. Lastly, I will report which theory I
prefer from my own personal experiences.
Though there is still much to learn about the dreams humans experience, there
has been continues research into the subject for years. Science has been able to explain
when we are more likely to dream. It has been recorded that there is a higher chance that
we will dream during REM sleep. As evidenced by sleepwalkers being woken during
REM sleep and reporting more dreams, than when they were awakened in non-REM
sleep. (Psychology, Pg. 143) Meaning that we are dreaming during the sleep period that
has a high level of brain activity.
Scientific research into dreaming also tells us that there are certain parts of our
brain that are more active or less active while we are dreaming. Brain imaging of people
during REM sleep has shown an increase in activity in the Amygdala. (Psychology, Pg.
149) This information is of importance, because we know the Amygdala is involved in
our flight-or-fight response. There have also been studies that show an increase in frontal
theta activity during REM sleep. Which tells us that the frontal theta activity while we are
asleep is the same as the retrieval of episodic memories that happens to us while we are
awake. (Science Behind Dreaming, 2011)
While those responses may be heightened during sleep, there are some parts of
our bodies that shut down while sleeping. For instance, the part of our brains that is

Science of Dreams

responsible for visual perception do not activate during REM sleep. However, our
occipital lobe that controls our visual imagery is active. This leads scientist to believe that
while we are not actually seeing these images, our brains are firing as if we are. Another
interesting part of dreaming is how we are not able to physically move. The parts of our
brain that allow for movement are inhibited during dreaming. (Psychology, Pg. 149)
Though technological advances have allowed us to grasp a better understanding
of when and what parts of our brain activate during dreaming, it has not been able to
explain why we sleep. There are many new theories popping up about the importance of
dreaming. The two most well know are Freudian theory, and the activation-synthesis
model. These two theories differ substantially from one another, and I would discuss
both in further detail.
Sigmund Freud first published his theory on dreams in 1900, and began to add
onto it throughout the years. He concluded that dreams have subconscious meaning, and
that they were a way of wish fulfilling. Freud believed that dreams represent things that
are unacceptable, taboo, and anxiety producing that the brain can only disguise them with
dreaming. (Psychology, Pg. 147) Meaning our darkest wishes, the ones that we would not
care to share with society are coming to life in our dreams.
Freuds theory was that with some help, a dream could be interpreted. He declared
this in his writing of The Interpretation of Dreams when he said, It seems rather to
assume that dreams have a meaning, albeit a hidden one; that they are intended as a
substitute for some other though-process, and that we have only to disclose this substitute
correctly in order to discover the hidden meaning of the dream. (Interpretation of
Dreams, 1900) Throughout Sigmund Freuds career he interpreted dreams for clients, in

Science of Dreams

an attempt to get to the core of their issues. Freuds theory has been highly criticized,
because of the limitless possibilities in which you could interpret a dream.
The second theory of dreaming worth discussing is the Activation-Synthesis
Model. This model proposes that, Dreams are produced when the mind attempts to make
sense of random neural activity that occurs in the brain during sleep. (Psychology, Pg.
148) Meaning that while the brain doesnt have the external stimuli that it does while we
are awake, it continues to try and interpret things. So, this theory proposes that our
random neural firing creates our dreams, but that meaning can be added onto these neural
firings through our brains interpretation. Though, there are those who disagree with this
theory as well. For example, Dreamcontentismorecoherent,consistentovertime,and
continuouswithwakingemotionalconcernsthantheactivationsynthesistheorywould
predict.(ProblemswithActivationSynthesisTheory,2000)
Mypersonalpreferencebetweenthesetwocompetingtheorieswouldbethe
ActivationSynthesisTheory.Perhaps,becausetheideaofFreudstheorycanbe
alarmingwhenyouinterpretyourdreamsaswishfulfilling.Myboyfriendhasdealtwith
nightmaresforyears.Ivebeentheretohearalltheterriblethingshewasdreaming.Id
liketobelieveIknowhimprettywell,whichmakesmestrugglewithacceptingthathe
wantsthoseterriblethingstobeplayedoutwhileawake.
However,IalsofindsomeissueswiththeActivationSynthesisTheoryaswell.
Forexample,Idontthinkittakesintoaccounthowmuchofourwakingdaycanmakeit
intoourdreams.Forexample,duringmyresearchforthisprojectIcameaboutawebsite
withsomeoddclaims.Ithadapictureofaman(attachedunderreferences)withclaims
thatthousandsofpeoplehadreoccurringdreamsaboutthisman.(EverDreamThisMan)

Science of Dreams

Ireadthroughthewebsite,becauseIwasfascinatedbytheoddityofthetopic.Thatvery
nightIhadadreamwiththatmansfaceinit.Itwasnotthatextraordinaryofadream,
butsimplyhimwavingtomefromaboat.Ihadneverdreamtofthatfacebefore,Ican
onlyconcludethatIdidthatnightfromviewinghisfaceonline.
In conclusion, I learned the scientific research behind what happens to the brain
while we dream. I also learned that psychological theories and approaches to dreams. I
would be interested to continue learning about the new research that continues to come in
on the science of dreaming. Hopefully future technological advances will allow us to gain
a better understanding of the reasons behind why we dream. I think that this topic could
help others who are burden by nightmares or curiosity gain a better understanding of
what is happening to their brain while they sleep. I feel that the mystery that surrounds
this topic is why we as humans find it so interesting.

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References

Domhoff,G.W.(2000).TheProblemswithActivationSynthesisTheory.Retrievedfrom
theWorldWideWeb:http://www.dreamresearch.net/Library/domhoff_2000e.html
Sigmund,F.(1900).TheInterpretationofDreams.TheJournalofNervousandMental
Disease,147147.
Schacter DL, Gilbert DT, Wegner DM. Psychology (2nd Edition). Pg.143, 147, 149. New
York: Worth; 2011.
VanderLinden,S.(2011,July26).TheScienceBehindDreaming.RetrievedFebruary
11,2015,fromhttp://www.scientificamerican.com/article/thesciencebehinddreaming/
EverDreamThisMan.http://www.thisman.org/dreams.htm