Psychology: Dreams And Dreaming :: essays research papers

Psychology Dreams and DreamingDreams, a nightly gift and a part of the natural process of being alive,are being rediscovered by our publisher. The marrow and value of your dreamswill vary according to what you and your society decide. Our society ischanging. We used to only value dreams in the context of mental hygiene. Thereare in any case a few assumptions about dreams. One is that you are always the finalauthority on what the dream means. Others can offer insight, suggestions andtechniques for exploration and expression, but no one knows what the finalmeaning and value of the dreams will be for you, except you. Another assumptionis that dreams come in the service of wholeness and health. If you find anrendition that does not fit this, perhaps you need to change methods ofinterpretation. Dream interpretations that lead you toward self-criticism,depression or despair are simply wrong and if these conditions persist you whitethornwish to seek help from others. Finally, there is n o such thing as a dream withone meaning. If you feel stuck on one meaning or feel another person is pushingone meaning, it is time to reconsider your methods and approach. (Lemley p. 17).Clinical dream work is done within the context of psychotherapy andclinical and sleep research have different approaches and goals than peer dreamwork. (Koch-Sheras p.16).A dream is a period of spontaneous brain activity ordinarily lasting fromabout 5-40 minutes that occurs during sleep several times a night usually about90 minute intervals (Barret p.8).There are in like manner certain types of dreams. There are fantasy, daydream andwaking dreams. There are also lucid dreams, nightmares and night terrors.There are also certain stages in the dream cycle. In the first stage, your bodytemperature drops, your eyes close and your brain waves begin regular alpharhythms, indicating a relaxed state. Muscles lose their tension, breathingbecomes more sluice and your heart rate slows. Second, random images begin tofloat through your mind mimicking the dream state. Jolting or involuntarymovements will take place at this time. Third, muscles lose all tightness,breathing becomes slower, heart rate decreases and blood pressure falls. Atthis point, it will take a loud noise or hitch to wake you up. You arenow fully asleep. Finally, you are in a deep sleep. This is the mostphysically rested period of sleep and longest in duration. (Time-Life Books p.97).Jubera 2Whether awake or asleep, one of the brains most critical functions isthe construction of the model of the environment that we perceive as our