Dreams occur during REM sleep and involve vivid images, sounds, thoughts and sensations. They are believed to be manifestations of unconscious thoughts and emotions. Sigmund Freud theorized that dreams represent unconscious desires, especially sexual ones. More recent theories suggest dreams help process daily experiences and reinforce learning. Evolutionary theories posit dreams enhanced ancestral survival. Different types of dreams include normal, lucid, nightmares and reoccurring dreams. Daydreams also involve semi-conscious thoughts and can represent unconscious wishes.

1. What are they, What is their purpose and What do
they mean?

2. Dreaming
 Dreaming is defined as
the subjective
experience of imaginary
images, sounds/voices,
thoughts or sensations
during sleep.
 They are an altered state
of consciousness (ASC).

3. What Happens When We Dream?
 Dreams occur during REM
sleep in which brain activity
is high and signaled by rapid
horizontal movements of the
eyes.
 Dreams also occur during
non-REM sleep but are not
as well remembered.
 Researches believe that we
dream every time we sleep
even if we cannot remember
them.

4. What Are Dreams?
 Sigmund Freud- One of the
first people to propose a theory
on dreams.
 Believed that dreams are a manifestation
of shameful unconscious thoughts and
emotions that human beings encounter
on a daily basis.
 Our dreams are rich with symbolism that
depict the true intent and emotions of
human beings.
 These forbidden thoughts and urges are
too shameful for our conscious to
handle, therefore they are pushed back
to our unconscious and are freed(but
shrouded in symbolism) while we dream.
 Believed that most of these unconscious
thoughts and emotions were sexual in
origin and nature.
 Called dreams the “royal road” to the
unconscious.

5. More Common Dream Theories
 Dreams are still thought of as unconscious emotions
but they do not necessarily have to revolve around sex.
 Dreams are the brains way of making sense of all the
images and feelings we come across and experience
during our everyday waking lives.
 It is also believed that dreams helps us reinforce
actions or ideas.
 Dreams are a product of our evolutionary
development.

6. Evolutionary Theory of Dreams
 Dreams served as a way to
enhance our future survival
as a species.
 It is theorized that our
nightmares are products of
our ancestors’ nightmares
and their way of living.
 Many of the dreams we
have today are similar to
those our ancestors had,
though they do differ
greatly.
 Today, our nightmares
consist of things such as
entering a room naked or
losing our teeth!

7. Types of Dreams
 “Normal” Dreams
 Lucid Dreams
 Nightmares
 Reoccurring Dreams
 …and even Daydreams!

8. Daydreaming
 Daydreaming is categorized as a
level of consciousness between
sleep and wakefulness thought of
as semi-awake.
 In this sense, they are also a ASC.
 Daydreams can also be seen as a
manifestation of ones true feelings
because we often daydream about
things we wish to have or things we
wish to do.
 Researches found that people day
dream anywhere from 70 to 120
minutes a day (up to 2 hours).
 Worrying is also seen as form of
daydreaming.

9. Dream Interpretation
 Dreams are the product of our unconscious and our
experiences from our everyday lives
 Many people, especially dream interpreters will
attempt to explain the significance of dreams.
 Some of our more common dreams include:
 Falling
 Losing teeth
 Being chased
 Public Nudity
 Sexual