dream interpretation: the royal road to the unconscious or random firing of neurons? psi beta...
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Dream Interpretation: The Royal Dream Interpretation: The Royal Road to the Unconscious or Road to the Unconscious or Random Firing of Neurons?Random Firing of Neurons?
Psi Beta Speaker PresentationPsi Beta Speaker PresentationCollin County Community CollegeCollin County Community College
November 10, 2004November 10, 2004
The Biology of DreamingThe Biology of Dreaming
Neurobiologists and neuropsychiatrists tend to Neurobiologists and neuropsychiatrists tend to think of dreaming sleep as shaped by the think of dreaming sleep as shaped by the activation of brain neurons. This activation activation of brain neurons. This activation synthesis model, proposed by Hobson and synthesis model, proposed by Hobson and McCarley in 1977, states that dreams are McCarley in 1977, states that dreams are reactions to random nervous system stimuli which reactions to random nervous system stimuli which the brain interprets as bizarre images and other the brain interprets as bizarre images and other sensory hallucinations. The activated brain-mind sensory hallucinations. The activated brain-mind does its best to attribute meaning to the internally does its best to attribute meaning to the internally generated signals of the brain.”generated signals of the brain.”
The Biology of DreamingThe Biology of Dreaming
Crick and Mitchison (1983) believe that the Crick and Mitchison (1983) believe that the brain’s neural memory systems are easily brain’s neural memory systems are easily overloaded and that REM eliminates overloaded and that REM eliminates cognitive debris. Dreams are a mechanism cognitive debris. Dreams are a mechanism for the nervous system to clear the brain of for the nervous system to clear the brain of unnecessary, even harmful memories. unnecessary, even harmful memories. Remembered dreams are nothing more than Remembered dreams are nothing more than an accidental by-product of this REM an accidental by-product of this REM function. function.
The Biology of DreamingThe Biology of Dreaming
David Maurice, Ph.D. (1998), suggests that David Maurice, Ph.D. (1998), suggests that humans experience REM sleep to supply humans experience REM sleep to supply oxygen to the cornea of the eye. The oxygen to the cornea of the eye. The aqueous humor, the clear watery liquid in aqueous humor, the clear watery liquid in the chamber just behind the cornea, needs the chamber just behind the cornea, needs to be “stirred” to bring oxygen to the cornea. to be “stirred” to bring oxygen to the cornea. “Without REM, our corneas would starve “Without REM, our corneas would starve and suffocate while we are asleep with our and suffocate while we are asleep with our eyes closed.”eyes closed.”
The Psychoanalytic Response The Psychoanalytic Response
““A scientist can develop an understanding of the A scientist can develop an understanding of the physiological function of dreaming and still not physiological function of dreaming and still not know anything about the meaning of dreams. One know anything about the meaning of dreams. One is a physiological phenomenon and the other is a is a physiological phenomenon and the other is a psychological phenomenon. One hundred years psychological phenomenon. One hundred years of psychoanalytic research and experience show of psychoanalytic research and experience show that there is much that can be learned about the that there is much that can be learned about the mental and emotional lives of people by dream mental and emotional lives of people by dream interpretation and other psychological methods.interpretation and other psychological methods.
The Two Phenomena are Not The Two Phenomena are Not Mutually ExclusiveMutually Exclusive
REM is associated with many physiological REM is associated with many physiological processes: changes in breathing, blood flow processes: changes in breathing, blood flow to the brain, and changes in brain activity. to the brain, and changes in brain activity. Discovering yet another proposed Discovering yet another proposed physiological purpose of REM sleep physiological purpose of REM sleep (oxygenation of the cornea) does not (oxygenation of the cornea) does not invalidate the principles of psychoanalysis. invalidate the principles of psychoanalysis.
The Theoretical Controversy ContinuesThe Theoretical Controversy Continues
Harvard Medical School psychiatrist Ramon Greenberg and colleagues state: Neither the classical psychoanalytic approach nor the physiologic attacks on it have been able to explain fully the purpose or function of dreaming.”
The controversy about the purpose of dreams continues
The Freudian ViewThe Freudian ViewThe dream represents an ongoing wish, along with the The dream represents an ongoing wish, along with the previous days activities. The dream may portray wishes previous days activities. The dream may portray wishes that have been with us since early childhood. Every dream that have been with us since early childhood. Every dream is partially motivated by a childhood wish. Dreams are is partially motivated by a childhood wish. Dreams are derived from instinctual needs and personal experiences. derived from instinctual needs and personal experiences.
Dreams occur in a state of “ego collapse” when the Dreams occur in a state of “ego collapse” when the
demands of the ID and Superego converge upon the EGO. demands of the ID and Superego converge upon the EGO. If we have been too reliant on defense mechanisms in our If we have been too reliant on defense mechanisms in our waking life, the internal conflict continues to build and waking life, the internal conflict continues to build and causes a dream to take place. The dream prevents us causes a dream to take place. The dream prevents us from building up intolerable states of psychological tension from building up intolerable states of psychological tension in waking life. in waking life.
Freud’s ViewFreud’s View
Freud did not believe dream interpretation Freud did not believe dream interpretation was possible by the dreamer; dreams could was possible by the dreamer; dreams could only be interpreted by a trained only be interpreted by a trained psychoanalyst. A primary method for psychoanalyst. A primary method for gathering information about the meaning of gathering information about the meaning of the dream was through free association.the dream was through free association.
A Connection between the A Connection between the Physiological and the PsychoanalyticPhysiological and the Psychoanalytic
Allen Braun, M.D. has discovered that regions of the brain Allen Braun, M.D. has discovered that regions of the brain which control emotion and motivation are highly active which control emotion and motivation are highly active during REM sleep. during REM sleep.
Regions of the brain central to self-discipline, delay of Regions of the brain central to self-discipline, delay of gratification, and impulse control, are relatively inactive. gratification, and impulse control, are relatively inactive. Thus, the prefrontal cortex is unable to carry out its waking Thus, the prefrontal cortex is unable to carry out its waking task of censoring material. task of censoring material.
Is it possible the person who is the most inhibited when Is it possible the person who is the most inhibited when awake would have the least active pre-frontal cortex when awake would have the least active pre-frontal cortex when asleep? This would fit the model of psychoanalysis, which asleep? This would fit the model of psychoanalysis, which suggests that if you repress during the day, the material will suggests that if you repress during the day, the material will most likely come oozing out during dreams. most likely come oozing out during dreams.
Carl Jung’s TheoryCarl Jung’s Theory
Jung believed in the psychological Jung believed in the psychological significance of dreams. Like Freud, he significance of dreams. Like Freud, he viewed dreams as an important gateway to viewed dreams as an important gateway to the unknown parts of the self. The dream the unknown parts of the self. The dream was a direct message from the personal was a direct message from the personal unconscious. unconscious.
Jungian AnalysisJungian Analysis
Unlike Freud, Jung believed the dreamer could interpret Unlike Freud, Jung believed the dreamer could interpret his/her own dreams using a process involving the analysis his/her own dreams using a process involving the analysis of dreams over time. He suggested taking similar dreams of dreams over time. He suggested taking similar dreams from the dream journal and merging the dream images from the dream journal and merging the dream images together to form a larger dream. together to form a larger dream.
In addition, Jung encouraged the dreamer to brainstorm all In addition, Jung encouraged the dreamer to brainstorm all the different symbolic associations for each aspect of the the different symbolic associations for each aspect of the dream. dream.
Another stage of Jungian dream analysis is active Another stage of Jungian dream analysis is active imagination. The dreamer mentally evokes a character imagination. The dreamer mentally evokes a character from the dream and asks it questions. from the dream and asks it questions.
Fritz Perls’ Theory Fritz Perls’ Theory
According to Fritz Perls, dreams are seen as being According to Fritz Perls, dreams are seen as being projections of parts of oneself. Essentially, as the projections of parts of oneself. Essentially, as the creator of the dream, you are everything in the creator of the dream, you are everything in the dream. dream.
Dream analysis involves much dialogue and acting Dream analysis involves much dialogue and acting out. The dreamer is encouraged to act out the out. The dreamer is encouraged to act out the dream from the perspective of each animate and dream from the perspective of each animate and inanimate element. inanimate element.
All dream symbolism is unique in that it comes All dream symbolism is unique in that it comes from the dreamer, and only the dreamer can truly from the dreamer, and only the dreamer can truly interpret it. interpret it.
Dream SymbolismDream Symbolism
According to Jung, universal symbols are According to Jung, universal symbols are those rooted to the experience of all those rooted to the experience of all humankind and are, therefore, common to humankind and are, therefore, common to everyone.everyone.
Jung considered the archetypes of the Jung considered the archetypes of the collective unconscious to be universal collective unconscious to be universal symbols. symbols.
Common Universal SymbolsCommon Universal Symbols
House: the selfHouse: the self
Weather: what one is going through in lifeWeather: what one is going through in life
Water: the emotions, the unconscious, the source of all Water: the emotions, the unconscious, the source of all life. Type of water and movement of water give clues life. Type of water and movement of water give clues about what is happening in the feelings and the about what is happening in the feelings and the unconscious.unconscious.
Time of day: the time of one’s life or one’s state of being. Time of day: the time of one’s life or one’s state of being. (Dawn: youth, optimism; dusk: withdrawal, approaching (Dawn: youth, optimism; dusk: withdrawal, approaching death)death)
Dream Symbols ContinuedDream Symbols Continued
People known to you: a particular quality of yourselfPeople known to you: a particular quality of yourself
Strangers: qualities of yourself that you do not ownStrangers: qualities of yourself that you do not own
Animals: compulsive or habitual ways of thinking and Animals: compulsive or habitual ways of thinking and acting. acting.
Death: changeDeath: change
Black horse: refusal to exercise free willBlack horse: refusal to exercise free will
Vehicles: information about your physical bodyVehicles: information about your physical body
Dream Symbols ContinuedDream Symbols Continued Shoes: your mental or spiritual foundationShoes: your mental or spiritual foundation
Clothing: one’s outer expressionClothing: one’s outer expression
Naked: you have opened up in your waking life or let the walls down. Naked: you have opened up in your waking life or let the walls down. Represents a desire to communicate more deeply with othersRepresents a desire to communicate more deeply with others
Flying: exercising free choiceFlying: exercising free choice
Running away and finding your feet and legs are moving, but you are Running away and finding your feet and legs are moving, but you are not moving forward: trying to do too many things at once and never not moving forward: trying to do too many things at once and never seeming to get ahead.seeming to get ahead.
Moving at will: being decisive, goal-oriented Moving at will: being decisive, goal-oriented
Silly Dream ThemesSilly Dream Themes
Alligator: treacheryAlligator: treachery
Animals: your own physical characteristics, primitive Animals: your own physical characteristics, primitive desires, and sexual nature; the untamed and uncivilized desires, and sexual nature; the untamed and uncivilized aspects of self. aspects of self.
Crocodile: hidden dangerCrocodile: hidden danger
Dog: skill that you have ignored or forgotten. Also might Dog: skill that you have ignored or forgotten. Also might mean intuition, loyalty fidelity. mean intuition, loyalty fidelity.
Eel: issues with commitment.Eel: issues with commitment.
Dream Symbol Dictionaries Are Dream Symbol Dictionaries Are UselessUseless
Even universal meaning and generalized Even universal meaning and generalized definitions are of minimal value in relation to self-definitions are of minimal value in relation to self-understanding and personal growth. understanding and personal growth.
Only through discovering one’s own translations Only through discovering one’s own translations of symbols and images can the individual effect of symbols and images can the individual effect change or insight. change or insight.
Symbols change meaning according to the context Symbols change meaning according to the context in which they appear and the personal in which they appear and the personal experiences of the dreamerexperiences of the dreamer
Personal SymbolsPersonal Symbols
Personal symbols are formed in the Personal symbols are formed in the unconscious and are tailored to reflect the unconscious and are tailored to reflect the person’s life experience and emotion. The person’s life experience and emotion. The unconscious is able to create a symbol to unconscious is able to create a symbol to illustrate a particular inner message. illustrate a particular inner message.
Understanding personal symbols is one of Understanding personal symbols is one of the primary goals of dream work. the primary goals of dream work.
Helpful Hints for Better Dream RecallHelpful Hints for Better Dream Recall
Before going to sleepBefore going to sleep– Expect to remember your dreamsExpect to remember your dreams– Review past dreamsReview past dreams– Get ready to record your dreamsGet ready to record your dreams– Be prepared to stay awake to make a recordBe prepared to stay awake to make a record– Review the previous day back to morningReview the previous day back to morning
Upon wakingUpon waking– Follow your dream backwardsFollow your dream backwards– Try and remember all the dreams you canTry and remember all the dreams you can– Think of events that may have triggered dreamsThink of events that may have triggered dreams– Write it downWrite it down
Dream RecallDream Recall
Daily AttitudesDaily Attitudes– Value each dreamValue each dream– Accept all dreamsAccept all dreams– Approach recall as a skillApproach recall as a skill– Expect to recall dreams during the dayExpect to recall dreams during the day
Procedures for RecallProcedures for Recall
Keep a pad of paper and pen beside your bed. Keep a pad of paper and pen beside your bed. Date the paper. When you awaken, write Date the paper. When you awaken, write something down.something down.
When you go to bed, relax your body and review When you go to bed, relax your body and review the day in reverse. the day in reverse.
As you are getting close to falling asleep, repeat As you are getting close to falling asleep, repeat over and over, “When I wake up, I will remember over and over, “When I wake up, I will remember my dream.”my dream.”
When you wake in the morning, don’t move. When you wake in the morning, don’t move. Relax and let your mind drift close to the dream. Relax and let your mind drift close to the dream.
Once you begin to recall the dream, start writing. Once you begin to recall the dream, start writing.
Dream Interpretation Dream Interpretation
What were you doing in the dream?What were you doing in the dream? What are the major contrasts and similarities in the What are the major contrasts and similarities in the
dream and how do they relate?dream and how do they relate? What are the major symbols and relationships What are the major symbols and relationships
between these symbols?between these symbols? What are the issues, conflicts, and unresolved What are the issues, conflicts, and unresolved
situations in the dream?situations in the dream? What relationship does this dream or the symbols What relationship does this dream or the symbols
in the dream, have to do with any other dream?in the dream, have to do with any other dream?
Interpretation ContinuedInterpretation Continued
How are you acting in the dream?How are you acting in the dream? What are the different feelings in this dream?What are the different feelings in this dream? What are the major actions in this dream?What are the major actions in this dream? Who or what is the adversary in this dream?Who or what is the adversary in this dream? What is helping in this dream?What is helping in this dream? What would I like to avoid in this dream?What would I like to avoid in this dream? What actions might this dream be suggesting?What actions might this dream be suggesting? What does this dream want from me?What does this dream want from me? Why did I need this dream?Why did I need this dream?
How to begin your own interpretationHow to begin your own interpretation What are the unusual or personally significant images in What are the unusual or personally significant images in
your dreams?your dreams? What are the primary emotions in your dreams?What are the primary emotions in your dreams? What are the conflicts and/or unresolved issues in the What are the conflicts and/or unresolved issues in the
dream?dream? What is currently happening in your conscious, waking life?What is currently happening in your conscious, waking life? Are there any associations between your conscious life and Are there any associations between your conscious life and
your dreams? Explore.your dreams? Explore. Do any common patterns or themes exist in the dreams Do any common patterns or themes exist in the dreams
that could tie them together? What are they?that could tie them together? What are they? What have you learned about yourself from this exercise in What have you learned about yourself from this exercise in
dream interpretation?dream interpretation?
Completing the Plot: another Completing the Plot: another method of interpretationmethod of interpretation
The dreamer rewrites the ending or The dreamer rewrites the ending or completes the plot of his/her dream in a completes the plot of his/her dream in a waking state. Learning to take control and waking state. Learning to take control and create positive options in your dream life create positive options in your dream life enhances your ability to do that in your enhances your ability to do that in your waking life.waking life.
Lucid DreamingLucid Dreaming
When you feel yourself awakening, try to focus your When you feel yourself awakening, try to focus your thoughts on the last dream you were having. Recall thoughts on the last dream you were having. Recall details, feeling, experiences. Then spend ten to fifteen details, feeling, experiences. Then spend ten to fifteen minutes reading, meditating, or doing something that minutes reading, meditating, or doing something that requires full wakefulness. Then while lying in bed, say to requires full wakefulness. Then while lying in bed, say to yourself: the next time I dream, I want to recognize that I’m yourself: the next time I dream, I want to recognize that I’m dreaming.” Visualize your body lying in bed, sleeping. See dreaming.” Visualize your body lying in bed, sleeping. See yourself back in your last dream, but know that you are yourself back in your last dream, but know that you are dreaming. dreaming.
Once in the lucid dream, recognize that you control the Once in the lucid dream, recognize that you control the dream. dream.
Prophetic DreamsProphetic Dreams
Seventy years ago, Harvard psychologists Murray Seventy years ago, Harvard psychologists Murray and Wheeler tested the prophetic power of dreams. and Wheeler tested the prophetic power of dreams. They invited the public to report dreams about the They invited the public to report dreams about the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh’s baby. kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh’s baby.
1300 people responded: 5% envisioned that the 1300 people responded: 5% envisioned that the child was deadchild was dead
4 of the 1300 anticipated the location of the dead 4 of the 1300 anticipated the location of the dead child. child.
Prophecy?Prophecy?
In 1990’s tabloid psychics missed the big events of In 1990’s tabloid psychics missed the big events of Oklahoma, 9/11. 65% of police departments Oklahoma, 9/11. 65% of police departments never use psychics. Of those who had hired never use psychics. Of those who had hired psychics, none found the information useful.psychics, none found the information useful.
We tend to notice, interpret, and recall events that We tend to notice, interpret, and recall events that confirm our expectations. Weird coincidences confirm our expectations. Weird coincidences capture our attention and are available in memory. capture our attention and are available in memory. All the nonevents are unnoticed and not All the nonevents are unnoticed and not remembered.remembered.
Barbara Lusk
Professor, Psychology
Collin County Community College District
(972) 548-6809