Essay on The Nature and Function of Dreams - 2690 Words

The Nature and Function of Dreams There is a state of consciousness in which one could be or experience anything imaginable. This state encompasses the ability to dream (1). The dream state is quite remarkable and incorporates infinite possibilities for the dreamer within each of us. Nietzsche (1844-1900), a German philosopher, points out that dreams were a puzzle since â€Å"the ages of rude beginning of culture† when â€Å"man believed that he was discovering a second real world in a dream... (2).† The question that human beings were wrestling with since then is: why do we have dreams and what, if anything, do they mean. On the one hand, there are a number of prominent scientists, such as Drs. Allan Hobson and Robert McCarley of Harvard†¦show more content†¦Dreams occur in the stage of the sleep cycle called REM sleep or paradoxical sleep. The subjects who awake from another stage of sleep called NREM sleep (occurs before REM sleep) do not describe their prior experience as dreaming (4). According to biologists, consciousness is â€Å"an ability to react to the environment.† This ability is temporarily suspended during sleep and thus dreaming can be thought of as an unconscious process (5). Brain waves, eye movements, and muscle tone, are the three major measures of sleep that are used in its study. From the polygraph records of the two major stages of sleep, NREM and REM sleep, it is apparent that eye movement is much more intense during REM sleep (in fact, the letters stand for rapid eye movement). During wake periods, muscle tone is high relative to NREM muscle tone, which can be considered to be moderate. However, during REM sleep there is no significant muscle tone and the sleeper can be considered virtually paralyzed (6). The central paradox of REM sleep is that there is an increased responsiveness to sensory stimuli in the thalamocortical region of the brain (much like in the awakened state) despite the fact that there is a lack of cognitive responsiven ess to sensory stimuli (7).Show MoreRelatedThe Mind Divided Into Three Different Levels1083 Words   |  5 Pageselicited in a dream. Jung was on the second floor in a Renaissance Period house ornately furnished in baroque style. He wandered to the first floor, which was detailed in a less ornate, medieval style. Descending further into a stone floored basement, he found a trap door that led to a dusty, dank cave in the very bottom of the house. There he found two bashed in skulls (Baer, 2003, p.177). At the time, Jung enjoyed a working relationship with Freud and asked his interpretation of the dream, but was notRead MoreCarl Jung Symbol1160 Words   |  5 PagesCritical Analysis of Carl Jung’s â€Å"The Importance of Dreams† Jung, one of the most important and most complex psychological theorist of all time, holds the belief that dreams are symbols of human unconsciousness. He finds the very intimate relationship between symbol, unconsciousness and dreams. In his essay â€Å" The Importance of Dreams†, Jung describes that man produces symbols unconsciously and spontaneously, in the forms of dreams. He says that dreams are outlet of unconsciousness. He describes thatRead MoreSigmund Freuds Method and Theory of Dream Analysis Essay1069 Words   |  5 Pagesthis paper to get a better understanding of Sigmund Freud’s method and theory of dream analysis. The purpose of the paper will be to show the principals of Freud’s dream related theory that focuses on the physiology, interpretation, and psychology of dreams and to explain concepts such as latent and manifest content of dreams, the part of unconscious process, and the nature of dreams role in the determination of dream content. I would like to explore Sigmund Freud’s explanations of psycho-analyticRead More Supernatural in Shakespeares Macbeth - Purpose of the Witches940 Words   |  4 Pagescomparison between Macbeths conscious world and Macbeths unconscious, dream world. In this essay, I will touch upon Sigmund Freuds theories of dreams and the unconscious, and consider the nature of the witches and their relationship with Macbeth. I will also explore the relationship between witches and society, and conclude the essay by considering other roles of the witches in the play.    Sigmund Freud had a theory on dreams and the unconscious, which I believe, applies to Macbeth. SigmundRead MoreThe Importance of Sleep Essay1681 Words   |  7 Pagesusual realm of consciousness. It is distinguished from quiet wakefulness and a decreased ability to react to stimuli where we become less aware of our surroundings. However, it is more easily reversed than being in hibernation or a coma. It is a function that has been extensively researched by many. After all, we would not have evolved a mechanism that forces us to spend one-third of our lives sleeping unless sleep did us some good. What good does it do tough? Over the years, many theories have beenRead MoreDreams and Memory Consolidation Essay1297 Words   |  6 Pagesusual realm of consciousness. It is distinguished from quiet wakefulness and a decreased ability to react to stimuli where we become less aware of our surroundings. However, it is more easily reversed than being in hibernation or a coma. It is a function that has been extensively researched by many. After all, we would not have evolved a mechanism that forces us to spend one-third of our lives sleeping unless sleep did us some good. What good does it do tough? Over the years, many theories have beenRead MoreHuman Curiosity And Its Effects On Our Society Essay926 Words   |  4 Pages As the universes constantly grow and expand, the human curiosity to understand the mystery of nature grows incessantly. Human curiosity has led to the advancement in the field of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine. Every advancement making the lives humankind little easier. However, not all the people around the globe are in agreement with the advancements. Medical advancement, such as vaccine is highly debated topic. Even when vaccine has reduced the spread of disease drasticallyRead MoreParental Responsibilities And Education : The Narrative Journey Of Paskowitz Family Essay938 Words   |  4 PagesParental Responsibilities and Education As the universes constantly grow and expand, the human curiosity to understand the mystery of nature grows incessantly. Human curiosity has led to the advancement in the field of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine. Every advancement making the lives of human being little easier. However, not all the people around the globe are in agreement with the advancements. Medical advancement, such as vaccine is the highly debated topic. EvenRead MoreA Midsummer Night s Dream By Pyramus And Thisbe1325 Words   |  6 Pages The inclusion of a play within a play often serves to highlight and reinforce the dramatic nature of the primary play. Pyramus and Thisbe do this exact practice in a midsummer night’s dream. Pyramus and Thisbe is the play which is performed by the mechanicals at the end of the play. Because the craftsmen are such bumbling actors, their performance satirizes the melodramatic Athenian lovers and gives the play a purely joyful, comedic ending. Pyramus and Thisbe face parental an social disapprovalRead MoreNeuroscience In Entertainment Essay728 Words   |  3 Pages Neuroscience in the News: Dreams and Emotional Memories Psych 375 Fall 2017 L01 Samina Javeed 30020790 University of Calgary The concept of memory and emotions are often looked at as two separate phenomena’s. However, a recent article in CBC News discusses the research published in Nature Neuroscience that addresses how rats’ sleep is affected by an unpleasant experience. What this displays, is a possible connection and an enhanced understanding about the link between