The Function of Dreams and Dreaming

[Pages:77]The Function of Dreams and Dreaming

Moving towards an integrated understanding

Lena Sayed

A thesis for the Professional Programme, The Department of Psychology UNIVERSITY OF OSLO

April, 2011

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The Function of Dreams and Dreaming

Moving towards an integrated understanding

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Abstract

Author: Lena Sayed

Title:

The Function of Dreams and Dreaming: Moving towards an integrated understanding.

Supervisor: Professor Bruno Laeng

This theoretical essay investigates theories concerning the function of dreams and dreaming starting with the contributions made by Freud (1900) to the present day. Several theories within psychodynamic, evolutionary and neurocognitive perspectives are presented and discussed in light of relevant empirical research. These include theories which postulate that the function of dreaming is to guard sleep (Freud, 1900) and theories which propose that dreaming poses an adaptive advantage either by allowing for the simulation and rehearsal of threat avoidance behaviours (Revonsuo, 2000), practicing social skills (Franklyn & Zephyr, 2005), solving emotional or intellectual problems (e.g. Barrett, 2007; Hartmann, 1996) or aids us in the consolidation of memories (Paller & Voss, 2004). Theories that view dreaming as being functionally epiphenomenal are also discussed, such as proposals that dreaming is a byproduct of the development of specific cognitive abilities (Domhoff, 2010) or merely a reflection of sleep-related changes which occur in the brain (Hobson, Pace-Schott & Stickgold, 2000). It appears that the theories presented in this essay are limited in accounting for much of the empirical evidence derived from the content analysis of dreams and the study of related neural correlates, and few attempts have been made at integrating some of the perspectives to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the nature and function of dreams and dreaming. Possible reasons for this are discussed, as well as proposals for how several theories may be integrated, followed by suggested avenues for future research and concluding remarks.

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Foreword

Last summer I was struggling with my initial research project when the last participant dropped out of my study. After almost a year of work I realised that I had no choice but to start again with another thesis topic. I considered several fields of study to centre a theoretical essay around but none seemed to re-spark my enthusiasm, when one morning I awoke from a dream that I wrote my thesis on the function of dreaming. Dreaming has fascinated me since I was young and I was surprised after studying psychology for several years that the topic had hardly been broached. After completing this thesis I realise that there is probably little focus on this area of study due to the lack of a comprehensive understanding of why we dream. It has been a pleasure spending the last semester of my studies immersing myself in theories of dreaming and contributing with my own suggestions as to how an integrated understanding of the function of dreams may be developed. I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Bruno Laeng, for invaluable help and feedback, and my friends and family for providing encouragement and support. Finally I would like to express gratitude to my lovely man for providing comfort and patience throughout the process.

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