Emma Hansen

12/1/16
4 period

The Psychology of Dreams

A question has been around since the early 1900s and that is, are dreams an
accurate portrayal and view into the inner workings, wants, and a reflection of repressed
feelings in the subconscious? Many believe wholeheartedly that yes of course dreams are
an act of the subconscious coming forth, whereas non-believers refute this stating it is
basic scientific workings and nothing else whatsoever. I, personally, believe that it is truly
a reflection of how we feel and what we desire along with the scientific aspect as well.
One of the largest regarded theory on dreams is one written and discovered by
Sigmund Freud. In this theory he states that ...dreams [are] a result of underlying
desires... (1) which is the basis of what most people now believe dreams are. Freud
originally founded this theory as he was feeling guilty about an incurable patient and then
dreamt that her situation was not at his fault but another doctors, which fulfilled his desire
even though it was not necessarily true. His dream started the concrete idea that dreams
were a basis for desires and the mind is basically trying to ease guilt, sadness, jealousy or
any other emotion by essentially [releasing] an excited neuron causing a dream would
be the only way to release this nervous energy (1). However, dreams are a collection of
images and experiences we have, mainly pertaining about what we saw felt or
experienced during the day, which covers the foundation of a distorted view of our
desires, making it hard to interpret. Through this theory has come a cult following as

people go to dream interpreters to find out what their dreams mean and how they can
relate it to their life or current problems or situations as they firmly believe that finding
the basis of their desires in their dreams will assist them in their reality.
Seventy years after Freud released his theory, two scientists chose to refute it by
stating that dreaming is not passive and completely due to a random assortment of
memories as the brain is working. Their reasoning is that circuits in the brainstem are
activated during REM sleep [and] once these circuits are activated, areas of the limbic system
involved in emotions, sensations, and memories... become active. The brain [then] and interprets
this internal activity and attempts [to] create meaning from these signals, which results in
dreaming. (2). This, however, doesn't explain the reasoning for nightmares or when you

can feel emotions in your dreams. Why would the neurons be so specific as to be able to
pertain to a situation or desire you are having a lot of emotions towards? It does make an
adequate amount of sense for the brain to be taking our memories and turning them into
dreams, but then the subconscious must add the level of emotion and desire fulfillment to
appease oneself. This almost makes more sense and, is very similar to Freuds theory,
making it easy to see why it is the most widely regarded thesis.
There are an indescribable amount of meanings and symbols that can be found in
dreams. The key is to not look at the dreams as a whole but to pick out the parts that
make the most sense or stand out the most. Those individual aspects are the ones that
offer the most insight. I believe that nightmares are an even deeper insight into oneself
and further proof that dreams arent random happenings. Countless blogs, articles, and
books reiterate the fact that one reason for nightmares may be a way for your
unconscious to get your attention about a situation or problem that you have been
avoiding (3). Just like your brain tries to fulfill your desires with dreams, it tries to warn

you about certain situations or bring forth fears you didnt know you had. Some of the
most common nightmares are ones where you are being chased, which could account for
you being scared of something or someone that is coming into your life that you arent
ready for, or drowning dreams which are an indication of intense stress or feeling
weighed down by a person or situation. If these were random acts, how is it that it is so
easy to interpret and apply the symbols in your dreams to current situations in your life?
Dreams as a whole are very obviously the workings of the brain using bits and
pieces of your reality and using it to determine your desires. Looking into what your
dreams mean can be an insightful process and can even help you make decisions about
situations you are in or discover new things about feelings you may have repressed.
Freuds theory is the obvious thesis to regard when researching dreams, as it connects the
science with the spiritual, in a sense. It has accurate evidence to back it up and such a
wide following it has only gained legitimacy since the day it was founded and released.
Without his bounds in research dreams could be even more of a mystery than they
already are.
Works Cited
1. Madresh, Elizabeth. "Relooking at the Two Opposing Dream Theories in a Different
Light." Relooking at the Two Opposing Dream Theories in a Different Light. Serendip,
19 July 2012. Web. 27 Nov. 2016. Website
2. Cherry, Kendra. "How Does the Activation-Synthesis Model Explain Dreams?"
Verywell. Verywell, 25 Apr. 2016. Web. 1 Dec. 2016. Website
3. Dream Moods, Inc. "Dream Moods: Nightmares." Dream Moods: Nightmares. Dream
Moods, 3 Dec. 2013. Web. 2 Dec. 2016. Website