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SLEEP & DREAMING.
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Examines the physiological & psychological interpretations of dreaming & sleeping & the consequences of sleep & dream deprivation.... More...
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Paper Abstract:
Examines the physiological & psychological interpretations of dreaming & sleeping & the consequences of sleep & dream deprivation.
Paper Introduction:
This paper will examine the physiological and psychological interpretations of sleep and dreaming. Prior to the 1940s, scientists considered sleep to be "a passive phenomenon during which major elements of the brain rested" (Long, 1987, p. 796). It has since been discovered that the brain is actually very active during certain periods of sleep. Physiologists have noted two distinct cycles which occur in sleep: the slow wave sleep (SWS) cycle and the rapid eye movement (REM) cycle. During sleep, these two cycles alternate from one to the other approximately once every ninety minutes. During the SWS phase, the sleeper's brain wave patterns slow down dramatically. During the REM phase the brain wave patterns become so active at times that they resemble those of a person who is fully awake (Palca, 1989, p. 352).
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44). Robert McCarley and J. Although sleep deprivation may be psychologically harmful, there isno conclusive research to prove that it has a similar impact onphysiological health. 352). 44). Mendelson at the State University ofNew York has suggested that sleep might result "from the complexinteraction of sleep-generating neurons with neurons that control suchother aspects of physiology as respiration and blood pressure" (Long, 1987,p. These arethe common symbols which all humans share, such as crosses, monsters, andmythological figures. E. Psychologists also differ in their attempts to explain why peopleneed to sleep and dream. .. 351). Palca, J. Although there appears tobe a psychological need for both sleep and dreams, "final answers toquestions about the biological meaning of dreams, and whether they arenecessary for health, cannot be given for the time being" (Borbely, p. Some researchers believe that sleep gives the body a chance to restand repair itself. Although much currently is known about sleep and dreams, there arestill some areas which cannot be fully explained by either psychologists orphysiologists. . Still otherphysiologists have simply claimed that "there is still precious littleknown about the function of sleep, or why highly evolved mammals need it atall" (Palca, 1989, p. E. 796). Nevertheless, certain physical actions tend coincide withthe brain activity of REM sleep. Borbely, A. (1987, December). 58). In the early 196 s, research studiesindicated that the psychological damage caused by lack of sleep wasactually due to dream deprivation. (1987). References Begley, S. 351). 44). The stuff that dreams are made of.Newsweek, 41-44. The cortex takes this information and weaves itinto a coherent story . During the REM phase the brain wavepatterns become so active at times that they resemble those of a person whois fully awake (Palca, 1989, p. Likewise, sleep apnea has aphysiological aspect in that it causes a brief cessation of breathingduring sleep; it also has a psychological aspect in that its sufferers maywake up hundreds of times each night, yet often fail to remember anythingabout it in the morning (Palca, p. Studies of insomnia havefound physiological and psychological causes. Sleep researchers awake to possibilities.Science, 351-352.----------------------- 7 Recent studies have shown that certain cells known ascytokines are influential in causing sleep as well as in helping the bodyto fight disease (Palca, 1989, p. Hallucinations may occur, and in extreme cases "the subjectloses a clear sense of his own identity and can no longer relate to thenormal world" (Borbely, 1986, p. Prior to the 194 s, scientistsconsidered sleep to be "a passive phenomenon during which major elements ofthe brain rested" (Long, 1987, p. What is this thing called sleep?National Geographic, 787-821. As such, dreams relate to everydaylife because they are based in part on memories. Perhaps the mysteries of sleep and dream deprivation will be clearedup in the years to come, as research in the field yields new discoveries.Current research in the area of sleep disorders is helping scientists tounderstand the elusive nature of sleep. New York: Basic Books. Althoughphysiologists have conducted numerous studies on sleep and dreams, theyhave yet to reach any final conclusions regarding why people sleep anddream. In addition to this effect onmemory, apnea is a serious physiological and psychological problem in thatits victims suffer the results of both fatigue and stress. Allan Hobson of Harvard University has stated that thisis because the brain works on the basis of associations. Suchpsychological growth may, in turn, have a positive impact on physiologicalhealth through reducing anxiety and stress. 43). Thefollowers of Sigmund Freud believe that dreams help maintain mental healthby allowing people to "express forbidden wishes in disguised form"(Guinness, 1987, p. (1986). Long, M. During the SWS phase, the sleeper's brain wavepatterns slow down dramatically. 42). Guinness, A. 59). At the same time, dreamshave a bizarre quality because "the cortex receives signals from thebrainstem and not the outside world" (Begley, p. interpreting the signals by referring to pre-existing memories" (Begley, 1989, p. Secrets of sleep. In this regard, it has been noted that commondream images such as flying, falling and being naked in public "seem tocapture universal human aspirations or fears" (Begley, p. 796). In studies where volunteerswere awakened during REM, approximately 85 to 9 percent stated that theywere dreaming at the time (Begley, 1989, p. This perspective is accepted morereadily by psychologists than by physiologists. 796). Studies of long-termsleep deprivation have shown that after a few days without sleep, people"have trouble carrying out mental and physical tasks, and their judgmentand memory deteriorate" (Guinness, 1987, p. 59). ABC's of the human body. In this regard, Dr. Wallace B. These researchers have noted that: "The acetylcholineneurons send rapid bursts of electrical signals to the cortex, the seat ofhigher thought and vision. As more research continues to be done in the future,answers regarding some of the mysteries of sleep and dreams will certainlybe discovered. In terms of dream research, there has been a great deal of interestin recent years regarding the potential of "lucidity," or lucid dreaming.Lucid dreaming is a method of learning to recognize and control a dream "asit's unfolding" (Begley, 1989, p. After a few days more ofsleep deprivation people begin to show signs of paranoid or even psychoticbehavior. (1989, July). Duringsleep, these two cycles alternate from one to the other approximately onceevery ninety minutes. (1989, August 14). 58). 352). Pleasantville:The Reader's Digest Association. Loss of sleep may cause a slight burning in the eyesor numbness in the limbs; "however, in spite of intensive efforts, no clearevidence of changes in metabolic activity caused by sleep deprivation hasbeen found" (Borbely, 1986, p. Physiology and psychology are both concerned with the consequences ofsleep and dream deprivation. 157). By using such techniques, a person can certainlygain psychological benefits and may gain physiological benefits as well.One psychological benefit of lucid dreaming is that the dream material,when controlled, can be used as a tool for personal growth. Others feel that "dreaming is the brain's way ofmaking sense of the day's events and discarding useless information"(Guinness, p. The sleeper experiences an increase inthe heart rate and pulse, and "the eyes dart back and forth between closedlids, breathing becomes irregular, and there are frequent small muscletwitches" (Palca, 1989, p. According toHobson, "high-level associations are metaphors, which pack lots of materialinto an economical unit" (Begley, 1989, p. From the first simple experimentsof the 195 s, the study of sleep disorders has grown to the point wherethere are now more than 15 officially accredited sleep disorder centers inthe United States alone (Palca, 1989, p. Current research alsosuggests that "the brain itself actively generates sleep" (Long, 19878, p.796). J. 157). Jung noted thatpsychological symbols in dreams are often based on archetypes. According to Jung, these archetypes are stored inthe subconscious mind and may be called forth during dreams, when theconscious mind is asleep. Another theory states that "by lowering the body'sthermostat, sleep conserves energy" (Long, 1987, p. During both SWS and REM, the muscles of the body remain in a veryrelaxed state. 42). These factors may also help toexplain the unique nature of dreams. This idea was enhanced by theobservation that individuals suffering from loss of sleep tend to enter REMsleep more rapidly than normal, which suggests that an attempt is beingmade to catch up on lost dreaming. This supports the idea that sleepserves as a way for the body to recuperate from the stresses that itexperiences each day. 352). 796). Some researchers in the field of psychology claimthat sleep and dreams serve to "facilitate learning or brain development orreinforce individual behavior patterns" (Long, 1987, p. Studies at Stanford University havehelped to establish a series of techniques to develop the capacity forlucidity in dreaming. Sleep deprivation has such adamaging effect on psychological well-being that it has even been used as abrainwashing technique, which succeeds because "enforced sleeplessness . 351). It has since been discovered thatthe brain is actually very active during certain periods of sleep.Physiologists have noted two distinct cycles which occur in sleep: theslow wave sleep (SWS) cycle and the rapid eye movement (REM) cycle. Losing even one night's sleep will cause aperson to feel fatigued and irritable the next day. Allan Hobson of Harvard University havepointed out that a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine is involved inproducing REM. This paper will examine the physiological and psychologicalinterpretations of sleep and dreaming. 62). Many psychologists agree with the perspective of CarlJung that symbols and metaphors play an large role in the interpretation ofdream images. . Most physiologists agree that thephenomenon of REM results from the movement of neurons within thebrainstem. tends to break down willpower and to make people less vigilant and moresuggestible" (Guinness, p. Experiments have indicated that there is a relationship betweendreams and the brain activity in REM sleep.
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