Lecture Notes: Theories on Why We Dream

Introduction

• Historical context of dreams
  • Mesopotamian kings (3rd millennium BCE) recorded dreams on wax tablets.
  • Ancient Egyptians wrote a dream book listing common dreams and meanings.
• Despite scientific advancements, the reasons for dreaming remain theories.

Theories on Why We Dream

1. Wish Fulfillment

• Proposed by: Sigmund Freud (Early 1900s)
• Concepts:
  • Dreams are symbolic representations of unconscious desires.
  • Analyzing these symbols can reveal and address psychological issues.

2. Memory Enhancement

• Research: 2010 study on complex 3D maze
• Findings:
  • Dreaming improves performance in mental tasks.
  • Dreaming of a task is more beneficial than merely thinking about it while awake.
• Theory: Dreams signal memory processes occurring during sleep.

3. Forgetting Unnecessary Information

• Theory: Reverse learning (1983)
• Process:
  • REM sleep helps the brain "unlearn" unnecessary neural connections.
  • Prevents brain from being cluttered with irrelevant connections.

4. Brain Maintenance

• Theory: Continual activation
• Explanation:
  • Brain needs to constantly consolidate memories.
  • Dreams serve as a screensaver to prevent brain shutdown.

5. Instinct Rehearsal

• Concept: Practicing fight-or-flight instincts in dreams
• Examples:
  • Being chased or fighting scenarios in dreams.
  • Reproductive instincts rehearsed through dreams about attraction.

6. Psychological Healing

• Observation:
  • Stress neurotransmitters less active during REM sleep.
  • Dreams help process traumatic events with less stress.
• Implications:
  • Lack of dreaming may exacerbate mood disorders and PTSD.

7. Problem Solving

• Concept:
  • Dreams allow for creative, unrestricted problem-solving.
• Examples:
  • John Steinbeck's "Committee of Sleep"
  • August Kekulé's discovery of benzene's structure.

Conclusion

• Our understanding of dreams is still evolving.
• Future technological advancements may provide definitive answers.
• Until then, dreams remain a fascinating mystery.