Dreaming as a Physiological Process

Paper Summary:

This paper shows the effects that dreams may have on psychological well being originating from external sources, not the dream itself. Dreams are physiological phenomenon with no meaning. The paper discusses the Freudian belief that dreams reflect the unconscious mind through complex metaphors. It explains that this is contradicted by current research, suggesting that dreams are the result of physiological processes during REM sleep and that meaning and significance come from external rather than internal sources.

From the Paper:

"Pop psychology has influenced society with the Freudian belief that dreams reflect the unconscious mind through complex metaphors and hidden meaning. Research done by J. A. Hobson, R. W. McCarley and others contradict these beliefs, suggesting that dreams are the result of physiological processes during REM sleep and that meaning and significance come from external rather than internal sources. A dream can be defined as "a sequence of sensations, images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person's mind" (Hobson & Stickgold, 1994). The effects that dreams may have on psychological well being originate from external sources, not the dream itself. "

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