4 Dream Theories

1. Freud’s Theory of Dreams2. Activation-Synthesis Theory3. Information-Processing Theory4. Neural Housekeeping Theory

1. Freud’s Theory of Dreams• Dreams reflect a person’s

unconscious wishes & urges

• People dream in symbols• Able to express

unconscious wishes we find unacceptable in real life

• Manifest Content (storyline/plot)

• Latent Content (hidden/disguised meaning)

2. Activation-Synthesis Theory

• Our Cerebral Cortex is trying to interpret random electrical activity we have while sleeping.

• Side-effects of neurons firing

• Why dreams make no sense

• Biological theory

3. Information-Processing Theory

• “Problem-Solving”• Way to deal with

everyday life• Rehearse stressful

situations• Tend to dream more

when we are stressed

4. Neural Housekeeping Theory

• Brain eliminating or strengthening neural connections.

• Cleaning up brain files