DREAMSDREAMSWhat Do We Really Think About?What Do We Really Think About?

REM Rebound:REM Rebound: Extra rapid eye movement Extra rapid eye movement sleep following REM Sleep deprivationsleep following REM Sleep deprivation

Psychodynamic (Freudian) Theory:Psychodynamic (Freudian) Theory: Emphasizes internal conflicts, motives and Emphasizes internal conflicts, motives and unconscious forcesunconscious forces

Wish Fulfillment:Wish Fulfillment: Freudian belief that many Freudian belief that many dreams are expressions of unconscious dreams are expressions of unconscious desiresdesires Much evidence to refute thisMuch evidence to refute this

Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis:Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis: Dream Dream content may be affected by motor commands content may be affected by motor commands in the brain that are not carried outin the brain that are not carried out

Dreams

Freud identified four dream processes (mental filters) that hide Freud identified four dream processes (mental filters) that hide true purposes of dreamstrue purposes of dreams CondensationCondensation: Combining several people, objects, or events : Combining several people, objects, or events

into a single dream imageinto a single dream image DisplacementDisplacement: Directing emotions or actions toward safe or : Directing emotions or actions toward safe or

unimportant dream imagesunimportant dream images SymbolizationSymbolization: When feelings or ideas are expressed : When feelings or ideas are expressed

symbolically in dreams; not literal expressionsymbolically in dreams; not literal expression Secondary ElaborationSecondary Elaboration: Making a dream more logical and : Making a dream more logical and

adding details while remembering itadding details while remembering it Perls: Most dreams are a special message about what is Perls: Most dreams are a special message about what is

missing in our lives, what we avoid doing when awake, or missing in our lives, what we avoid doing when awake, or feelings that we need to re-ownfeelings that we need to re-own

Lucid dreamingLucid dreaming: Person feels fully awake within the dream and : Person feels fully awake within the dream and feels capable of normal thought and actionfeels capable of normal thought and action

Dream Interpretation

DaydreamsDaydreams

Can be helpful in: Can be helpful in: 1. Rehearsing future actions1. Rehearsing future actions EX: Breaking up with your boyfriendEX: Breaking up with your boyfriend 2. Finding solutions to problems2. Finding solutions to problems EX: Figure out when you will make time EX: Figure out when you will make time to studyto study 3. Help you find motivation to achieve a 3. Help you find motivation to achieve a goalgoal EX: Picture yourself graduating and EX: Picture yourself graduating and

getting the job that you wantgetting the job that you want

Mental AlertnessMental Alertness

Most people experience two distinct peaks Most people experience two distinct peaks of mental alertness: one in the morning, of mental alertness: one in the morning, usually around 9-10AM, and one in the usually around 9-10AM, and one in the evening, around 8-9PM. In between these evening, around 8-9PM. In between these peaks, you’ll probably experience a slump peaks, you’ll probably experience a slump in mental alertness at about 3pm and 3am. in mental alertness at about 3pm and 3am.

Mental AlertnessMental Alertness

Circadian RhythmsCircadian Rhythms (from Latin “about” and (from Latin “about” and “day”) the cyclical daily fluctuations in biological “day”) the cyclical daily fluctuations in biological and psychological processes, Fluctuations and psychological processes, Fluctuations from high to low that we feel every dayfrom high to low that we feel every day

Managed by the Managed by the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)(SCN), a small group of neurons in the , a small group of neurons in the hypothalamus, “the body’s clock,” is set by hypothalamus, “the body’s clock,” is set by Environmental CuesEnvironmental Cues (Bright light, or sunlight, is (Bright light, or sunlight, is the most significant cue (in morning to wake up the most significant cue (in morning to wake up turn on the light)turn on the light)

Mental AlertnessMental Alertness

How does sunlight help regulate the sleep-wake How does sunlight help regulate the sleep-wake cycle and other circadian rhythms? As the sun cycle and other circadian rhythms? As the sun sets each day, the decrease in available light is sets each day, the decrease in available light is detected by the SCN through its connections detected by the SCN through its connections with the visual system. In turn the SCN triggers with the visual system. In turn the SCN triggers an increase in the production of a hormone an increase in the production of a hormone called called melatoninmelatonin. Melatonin is manufactured by . Melatonin is manufactured by the the pineal glandpineal gland, an endocrine gland located in , an endocrine gland located in the brain.the brain.

SleepSleepInteresting Facts: Interesting Facts: Everyone dreamsEveryone dreams Yawning increases arousal, it is not Yawning increases arousal, it is not

contagious, although thinking about contagious, although thinking about yawning can make you yawnyawning can make you yawn

Deaf people often “sleep sign” in their Deaf people often “sleep sign” in their sleepsleep

It is not dangerous to wake a sleepwalkerIt is not dangerous to wake a sleepwalker In a lifetime, a person spends about 22 In a lifetime, a person spends about 22

years sleeping years sleeping

Onset of Sleep/Pre-sleepOnset of Sleep/Pre-sleep

When you are awake and alert you have When you are awake and alert you have beta brain wavesbeta brain waves, once your head hits , once your head hits the pillow and you get sleepy (but not yet the pillow and you get sleepy (but not yet asleep) your brain’s electrical activity asleep) your brain’s electrical activity gradually gears down, generating slightly gradually gears down, generating slightly larger and slower larger and slower alpha brain waves.alpha brain waves. As As drowsiness sets in, your thoughts may drowsiness sets in, your thoughts may wander and become less logical. wander and become less logical.

Onset of Sleep/Pre-sleepOnset of Sleep/Pre-sleep Hypnagogical hallucinationsHypnagogical hallucinations – during this – during this

drowsy, pre-sleep phase, you may experience drowsy, pre-sleep phase, you may experience odd but vividly realistic sensations. You may odd but vividly realistic sensations. You may hear your name called or a loud crash, feel as hear your name called or a loud crash, feel as if you’re falling or floating, smell something if you’re falling or floating, smell something burning, or see kaleidoscopic patterns or an burning, or see kaleidoscopic patterns or an unfolding landscape. These vivid sensory unfolding landscape. These vivid sensory phenomena that occasionally occur during the phenomena that occasionally occur during the transition from wakefulness to light sleep are transition from wakefulness to light sleep are called hypnagogic hallucinations. Some are so called hypnagogic hallucinations. Some are so vivid they cause you to awake suddenly.vivid they cause you to awake suddenly.

Onset of Sleep/Pre-sleepOnset of Sleep/Pre-sleep Probably the most common hypnagogic Probably the most common hypnagogic

hallucination is the vivid sensation of hallucination is the vivid sensation of falling. The sensation of falling is often falling. The sensation of falling is often accompanied by a accompanied by a myoclonic jerkmyoclonic jerk – an – an involuntary muscle spasm of the whole involuntary muscle spasm of the whole body that jolts the person completely body that jolts the person completely awake. Also known as sleep starts, awake. Also known as sleep starts, these experiences can seem really weird these experiences can seem really weird (or embarrassing) when they occur. But, (or embarrassing) when they occur. But, you can rest assured, they are not you can rest assured, they are not abnormal. abnormal.

Stages of SleepStages of Sleep

5 Stages of Sleep:5 Stages of Sleep: (First 4 are Non REM, 5th is REM) (First 4 are Non REM, 5th is REM) Stage 1:Stage 1: Alpha brain waves replaced by even slower theta brain Alpha brain waves replaced by even slower theta brain

waveswaves Lasts less than 15 minutes Lasts less than 15 minutes Lightest period of sleep, characterized by slow rolling Lightest period of sleep, characterized by slow rolling

eye movementseye movements Transition period between wakefulness and deeper sleepTransition period between wakefulness and deeper sleep More responsive to sounds and external activities and More responsive to sounds and external activities and

are more easily awakenedare more easily awakened

Stages of SleepStages of Sleep

Stage 2:Stage 2: Theta waves dominate, but even slower Theta waves dominate, but even slower

delta waves start to emergedelta waves start to emerge Heart rate and breathing slow downHeart rate and breathing slow down Lasts longer than Stage 1 sleepLasts longer than Stage 1 sleep Return to it several times throughout the Return to it several times throughout the

nightnight 44 and 55 % of total sleep time 44 and 55 % of total sleep time

Stages of SleepStages of SleepStages 3 & 4:Stages 3 & 4: Stages 3&4 very similar; when delta waves Stages 3&4 very similar; when delta waves

represent more than 20% of total brain activity, represent more than 20% of total brain activity, the sleeper is said to be in stage 3 NREM. the sleeper is said to be in stage 3 NREM. When delta brain waves exceed 50% then they When delta brain waves exceed 50% then they are in stage 4 NREM.are in stage 4 NREM.

Referred to as deep sleep or delta sleepReferred to as deep sleep or delta sleep In the deepest stage of sleep, when delta In the deepest stage of sleep, when delta

waves are 100%, heart rate, blood pressure, waves are 100%, heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate drop to their lowest levels. and breathing rate drop to their lowest levels. Sleeper is almost completely oblivious to the Sleeper is almost completely oblivious to the world. Sounds as loud as 90 decibels won’t world. Sounds as loud as 90 decibels won’t wake. wake.

Stages 3 & 4 continuedStages 3 & 4 continued However, muscles are still capable of However, muscles are still capable of

movement. EX: sleepwalking occurs, it movement. EX: sleepwalking occurs, it typically happens during stage 4 NREM. typically happens during stage 4 NREM. Dreams are more common; people are more Dreams are more common; people are more likely to talk to themselves. It’s even possible to likely to talk to themselves. It’s even possible to answer a ringing phone, carry on a answer a ringing phone, carry on a conversation for several minutes, and hang up conversation for several minutes, and hang up without ever leaving stage 4 sleep. without ever leaving stage 4 sleep. Researchers have tested this by asking people Researchers have tested this by asking people to perform simple tasks, and most people don’t to perform simple tasks, and most people don’t remember.remember.

Time spent in these stages of sleep decreases Time spent in these stages of sleep decreases with agewith age

Stage 5 - REMStage 5 - REM (rapid eye movement) (rapid eye movement)

Stage 5Stage 5 Stage 5 - REMStage 5 - REM (rapid eye movement) (rapid eye movement) After deeply relaxed in stage 4, the sequence reverses. After deeply relaxed in stage 4, the sequence reverses.

In a matter of minutes, the sleeper cycles back from In a matter of minutes, the sleeper cycles back from stage 4 to 3 to 2 and enters a dramatic new phase: stage 4 to 3 to 2 and enters a dramatic new phase: REM sleep.REM sleep.

Occurs in an unpredictable pattern throughout the nightOccurs in an unpredictable pattern throughout the night Brain activity is close to waking levels; visual and motor Brain activity is close to waking levels; visual and motor

neurons in the brain activate repeatedly, just as in neurons in the brain activate repeatedly, just as in wakefulness.wakefulness.

Heart and breathing rates increase dramatically (similar Heart and breathing rates increase dramatically (similar to early stage 1)to early stage 1)

Eyes dart back and forth behind closed eyelids – the Eyes dart back and forth behind closed eyelids – the rapid eye movementsrapid eye movements

Stage 5Stage 5 Muscle tone is greatly reduced (do not move Muscle tone is greatly reduced (do not move

during this time, if you wake up during this time during this time, if you wake up during this time you may be temporarily paralyzed)you may be temporarily paralyzed)

Vivid dreams, nightmares Vivid dreams, nightmares Usually occurs 90 minutes after sleep begins Usually occurs 90 minutes after sleep begins

and reappears throughout the night during a and reappears throughout the night during a normal sleep cyclenormal sleep cycle

Research shows that REM sleep is important Research shows that REM sleep is important for memory, increases after learning a new for memory, increases after learning a new task (one reason why children need more than task (one reason why children need more than adults)adults)

Just before and after REM sleep, sleeper Just before and after REM sleep, sleeper usually shifts positionsusually shifts positions

Sleep PatternsSleep Patterns LarksLarks = morning person that likes to get up = morning person that likes to get up

early and go to sleep earlyearly and go to sleep early Owl Owl = like to sleep until about 10 or 11 and = like to sleep until about 10 or 11 and

then go to sleep around 2 or 3 in the morning then go to sleep around 2 or 3 in the morning 6 ½ hours seems to be the minimum amount of 6 ½ hours seems to be the minimum amount of

sleep required by most people (studies sleep required by most people (studies constantly disagree)constantly disagree)

You will need less sleep as you get olderYou will need less sleep as you get older Genetics play a big role in how much sleep we Genetics play a big role in how much sleep we

need, but also people need more sleep when need, but also people need more sleep when they are depressed, under stress, or they are depressed, under stress, or experiencing big life changes experiencing big life changes

DreamsDreams Sleep thinkingSleep thinking – although dreams may be the – although dreams may be the

most spectacular brain productions during most spectacular brain productions during sleep, they are not the most common. More sleep, they are not the most common. More prevalent is sleep thinking, which takes place prevalent is sleep thinking, which takes place during NREM sleep and consists of vague, during NREM sleep and consists of vague, uncreative, bland, and thought-like ruminations uncreative, bland, and thought-like ruminations about real-life events.about real-life events.

DreamDream – in contrast to sleep thinking, a dream – in contrast to sleep thinking, a dream is an unfolding episode of mental images that is an unfolding episode of mental images that is storylike, involving characters and events. is storylike, involving characters and events.

DreamsDreams

On average, about 25% of a night’s sleep, On average, about 25% of a night’s sleep, or almost two hours every night, is spent or almost two hours every night, is spent dreaming. So, assuming you live to a ripe dreaming. So, assuming you live to a ripe old age, you’ll devote more than 50,000 old age, you’ll devote more than 50,000 hours, about 6 years, to dreaming.hours, about 6 years, to dreaming.

DreamsDreams Dreams occur during both REM and NREM Dreams occur during both REM and NREM

sleep, but dreams during REM sleep are sleep, but dreams during REM sleep are more frequent and longer in duration. more frequent and longer in duration. People who are awakened during REM People who are awakened during REM report a dream 90% of the time – even those report a dream 90% of the time – even those who claim they never dreamwho claim they never dream

People usually have 4 or 5 episodes of People usually have 4 or 5 episodes of dreaming per night. dreaming per night.

Contrary to popular belief, dreams happen in Contrary to popular belief, dreams happen in real time, not in split seconds; in fact real time, not in split seconds; in fact dreamers are often quite accurate in dreamers are often quite accurate in estimating how long they’ve been dreamingestimating how long they’ve been dreaming

Researcher J. Allan Hobson Researcher J. Allan Hobson (1988) (1988)

5 basic characteristics of dreams:5 basic characteristics of dreams: emotions can be intenseemotions can be intense content and organization are usually content and organization are usually

illogicalillogical sensations are sometimes bizarresensations are sometimes bizarre even bizarre details are uncritically even bizarre details are uncritically

acceptedaccepted dream images are difficult to rememberdream images are difficult to remember

Allen Braun (1998) Allen Braun (1998) Frontal lobes are shut down during REM Frontal lobes are shut down during REM

sleep; this explains the unquestioning sleep; this explains the unquestioning acceptance of the illogical nature of acceptance of the illogical nature of dreamsdreams

The amygdala and hippocampus are The amygdala and hippocampus are highly active during REM, structures highly active during REM, structures involved in emotion, memory, motivationinvolved in emotion, memory, motivation

Visual areas outside the primary visual Visual areas outside the primary visual cortex (which is also shutdown) are cortex (which is also shutdown) are highly active.highly active.

What Do We Dream About?What Do We Dream About? Tied to our daily concerns, environmental Tied to our daily concerns, environmental

cues can also influence what we dream cues can also influence what we dream about about

Certain themes, such as falling, being Certain themes, such as falling, being chased, or being attacked are chased, or being attacked are surprisingly common across cultures. surprisingly common across cultures.

Many cultures have shown that dreamers Many cultures have shown that dreamers around the world report more instances around the world report more instances of negative events than of positive of negative events than of positive events. events.

What Do We Dream About?What Do We Dream About? There is more aggression in men’s dreams There is more aggression in men’s dreams

than in women’s dreams, but women are more than in women’s dreams, but women are more likely to dream that they are the victims of likely to dream that they are the victims of physical aggression.physical aggression.

Environmental cues Environmental cues duringduring dreaming can also dreaming can also influence dream content. In sleep labs, influence dream content. In sleep labs, researchers have played recordings of a researchers have played recordings of a rooster crowing, a bugle playing reveille, and a rooster crowing, a bugle playing reveille, and a dog barking. Researchers have even sprayed dog barking. Researchers have even sprayed water on sleeping subjects. Depending on the water on sleeping subjects. Depending on the stimulus, up to half the dreamers incorporated stimulus, up to half the dreamers incorporated the external stimulation into their dream the external stimulation into their dream content.content.

The Significance of DreamsThe Significance of Dreams

For thousands of years and throughout For thousands of years and throughout many cultures, dreams have been thought many cultures, dreams have been thought to contain highly significant, cryptic to contain highly significant, cryptic messages. Do dreams mean anything? messages. Do dreams mean anything? Do they contain symbolic messages? Do they contain symbolic messages?

Sigmund Freud: Dreams as Sigmund Freud: Dreams as Fulfilled Wishes Fulfilled Wishes

In this landmark work, In this landmark work, The Interpretation The Interpretation of Dreams of Dreams (1900), Freud wrote that (1900), Freud wrote that dreams are the “disguised fulfillments of dreams are the “disguised fulfillments of repressed wishes” and provide “the royal repressed wishes” and provide “the royal road to a knowledge of the unconscious road to a knowledge of the unconscious mind.” Freud believed that dreams mind.” Freud believed that dreams function as a sort of psychological “safety function as a sort of psychological “safety valve” for the release of unconscious and valve” for the release of unconscious and unacceptable urges.unacceptable urges.

Sigmund Freud: Dreams as Sigmund Freud: Dreams as Fulfilled WishesFulfilled Wishes

Freud believe that dreams have two Freud believe that dreams have two components; the components; the manifest contentmanifest content, or the , or the dream images themselves, and the dream images themselves, and the latent latent contentcontent, the disguised psychological meaning of , the disguised psychological meaning of the dream. EX: Freud believed that dream the dream. EX: Freud believed that dream images of sticks, swords, and other elongated images of sticks, swords, and other elongated objects were phallic symbols, representing the objects were phallic symbols, representing the penis. Dream images of cupboards, boxes, and penis. Dream images of cupboards, boxes, and ovens supposedly symbolized the vagina.ovens supposedly symbolized the vagina.

Sigmund Freud: Dreams as Sigmund Freud: Dreams as Fulfilled WishesFulfilled Wishes

In many types of psychotherapy today, In many types of psychotherapy today, especially those that follow Freud’s ideas, especially those that follow Freud’s ideas, dreams are still seen as an important source of dreams are still seen as an important source of info about psychological conflicts. However, info about psychological conflicts. However, Freud’s belief that dreams represent the Freud’s belief that dreams represent the fulfillment of repressed wishes has not been fulfillment of repressed wishes has not been substantiated by psychological research. substantiated by psychological research. Furthermore, research does not support Freud’s Furthermore, research does not support Freud’s belief that the dream images themselves – the belief that the dream images themselves – the manifest content of dreams – are symbols that manifest content of dreams – are symbols that disguise the dream’s true psychological disguise the dream’s true psychological meaning.meaning.

Alfred Adler: Will to PowerAlfred Adler: Will to Power

Adler coined the term “inferiority complex” Adler coined the term “inferiority complex” These feelings of inferiority were based in These feelings of inferiority were based in

early infancy when we are literally early infancy when we are literally powerless. We spend the rest of our lives powerless. We spend the rest of our lives trying to compensate for this early lack of trying to compensate for this early lack of power and to gain more control of our lives.power and to gain more control of our lives.

Dreams were a way of addressing our Dreams were a way of addressing our insecurities. insecurities.

Alfred Adler: Will to PowerAlfred Adler: Will to Power

Adlerian dream analysis involves looking at the Adlerian dream analysis involves looking at the parts of a dream and analyzing what problems parts of a dream and analyzing what problems or inferiorities they might represent. Then how or inferiorities they might represent. Then how we act in response to those dream elements we act in response to those dream elements represents a way of overcoming the issue. represents a way of overcoming the issue.

EX: a dream about falling could express a EX: a dream about falling could express a direct fear – especially if the dreamer is soon to direct fear – especially if the dreamer is soon to fly or climb a mountain. However it could be fly or climb a mountain. However it could be subtler, representing a “fall from grace” or loss subtler, representing a “fall from grace” or loss of face and social standing. of face and social standing.

Jung’s Dream TheoryJung’s Dream Theory

Dreams are the direct, natural expression Dreams are the direct, natural expression of the current condition of the dreamer’s of the current condition of the dreamer’s mental world. mental world.

Rejected Freud’s claim that dreams Rejected Freud’s claim that dreams intentionally disguise their meanings; intentionally disguise their meanings; rather, Jung believed that the nature of rather, Jung believed that the nature of dreams is to present “a spontaneous self-dreams is to present “a spontaneous self-portrayal, in symbolic form, of the actual portrayal, in symbolic form, of the actual situation in the unconscious”situation in the unconscious”

Jung’s Dream TheoryJung’s Dream Theory

Dreams speak in a distinctive language of Dreams speak in a distinctive language of symbols, images, and metaphors that is symbols, images, and metaphors that is the unconscious mind’s natural language – the unconscious mind’s natural language – hard to understand since it is so different hard to understand since it is so different from our waking language.from our waking language.

Dreams work on two levels: objective and Dreams work on two levels: objective and subjectivesubjective

Jung’s Dream TheoryJung’s Dream Theory Objective: deals with external world; with Objective: deals with external world; with

the people, events, and activities of the the people, events, and activities of the dreamer’s daily life.dreamer’s daily life.

Subjective: dream elements are Subjective: dream elements are personifications of thoughts and feelings personifications of thoughts and feelings within the dreamer’s own psychewithin the dreamer’s own psyche

Dreams serve two functions: One is to Dreams serve two functions: One is to compensatecompensate for imbalances in the for imbalances in the dreamer’s psyche. dreamer’s psyche.

Second function: to provide Second function: to provide prospectiveprospective images of the future. images of the future.

HYPNOSISHYPNOSIS

Altered state of consciousness characterized by intensely Altered state of consciousness characterized by intensely narrowed attention and increased openness to suggestionnarrowed attention and increased openness to suggestion Mesmer: Believed he could cure diseases by passing Mesmer: Believed he could cure diseases by passing

magnets over body; true “animal magnetism.” Mesmerize magnets over body; true “animal magnetism.” Mesmerize means to hypnotizemeans to hypnotize

Must cooperate to become hypnotizedMust cooperate to become hypnotized Hypnotic Susceptibility: How easily a person can be Hypnotic Susceptibility: How easily a person can be

hypnotizedhypnotized Basic Suggestion Effect: Tendency of hypnotized people to Basic Suggestion Effect: Tendency of hypnotized people to

carry out suggested actions as though they were involuntarycarry out suggested actions as though they were involuntary Hidden Observer: Detached part of the hypnotized subject’s Hidden Observer: Detached part of the hypnotized subject’s

awareness that silently observes eventsawareness that silently observes events

Hypnosis

Hypnosis CAN:Hypnosis CAN: Help people relaxHelp people relax Reduce painReduce pain Get people to make better progress in Get people to make better progress in

therapytherapy Hypnosis CANNOT:Hypnosis CANNOT:

Produce acts of superhuman strengthProduce acts of superhuman strength Produce age regressionProduce age regression Force you to do things against your Force you to do things against your

willwill

Hypnosis Can’s and Cannot’s