Transcript Document 7223707

Vasu Singh (MTC lab)
Problem Solving 2007
5/22/2016
Problem Solving 2007
Types of dreams
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Daydreams: A train of fanciful
thoughts, not connected to the
person’s immediate situation.
Results in a blank stare often.
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Sleep dreams: Experience of
sequence of sensations during
sleep.
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Problem Solving 2007
Sleep
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We sleep in cycles of 90 minutes
(The cycle repeats 4-5 times a
night).
Each cycle has 5 phases.
1 phase of REM (Rapid Eye
Movement) and 4 of NREM.
REM: Brain active, body inactive.
Paradoxical sleep. Most of the
dreams. Eyes flicker back and forth
rapidly.
NREM: Body active, brain inactive.
Little dreaming. Limb movements.
Sleep walking occurs in NREM
sleep.
For a good night sleep, both REM
and NREM sleep are necessary.
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Problem Solving 2007
Some interesting and
common phenomena
Sleep paralysis
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A condition of temporary paralysis of
the body shortly after waking up from
REM sleep.
Remark: Body is inactive during REM
sleep in order to prevent the body
from manifesting movements made in
the subject's dreams.
This leaves the person fully aware,
but unable to move.
Often, dreamer believes she is still in
her dream, as the dream gradually
merges into the reality.
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Problem Solving 2007
The Nightmare
by Henry Fuseli (1781)
Hypnic jerk
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A sudden movement of the body just after
one goes to sleep (sometimes with an
impression of falling)
A universal component of sleep onset
process.
Reason: Failure of the brain to discriminate
the dream from reality.
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Problem Solving 2007
False awakening
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A dream that one has awakened from sleep,
usually in the morning.
A very convincing illusion, where one dreams
of performing the morning rituals, like
brushing teeth or having breakfast.
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Problem Solving 2007
Now we find out…
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What are dreams?
What do they mean and why do we dream?
Still an open problem!
Are dreams of any help to us?
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Problem Solving 2007
What are dreams?
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An experience of a sequence of
images, sounds, ideas,
emotions, or other sensations
Events often unlikely to occur in
reality
Outside the control of the
dreamer
In a typical lifespan, a human
spends six years dreaming (2
hours per night)
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Problem Solving 2007
The Dream by
Puvis de Chavannes (1883)
What do dreams
mean?
Early views on dreams
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Ancient Egyptians: Messages from Gods.
Chinese: Soul produces the dreams.
Indians: Dreams are expressions of inner desire.
Also, people believed in the Chinese view.
Greeks: Dreams are Gods’ visits to the dreamers.
Later, Aristotle put an end to idea of divine dreams.
He proposed they are caused by daily activities.
Mix of these views prevailed till 20th century.
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Problem Solving 2007
Around 1900: Freud and Jung
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Sigmund Freud: THE father of
modern dream analysis and
psychoanalysis. Belief: Dreams
discharge repressed impulses.
Criticism: Too much analysis!
Carl Jung: Dreams are not just
about repressed feelings. Can be
creative too.
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Problem Solving 2007
Since 1950: The physiological
view
Activation-Synthesis Hypothesis (Hobson and McCarley):
 Dreams caused by periodic trigger in brain stem.
 The activated forebrain creates the dream out of the
internally generated information, trying its best to
make sense out of the nonsense it is being presented
with.
Criticism: Overextension of the work to propose
dreams are meaningless!
Huge controversy on the hypothesis. Provoked more
letters to the editor of the journal than ever received
before.
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Problem Solving 2007
Dreaming to forget?
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Think of it as garbage collection!
Nobel Laureate Francis Crick (1983): Dreams
remove certain undesirable modes of
interaction in networks of cells in the brain.
A reverse learning mechanism.
Criticism: Discourages remembering dreams,
because such remembering may help to
retain patterns of thought which are better
forgotten.
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Problem Solving 2007
So, why do we dream/
have REM sleep?
From the point of evolution…
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Premises:
Reptiles do not have REM sleep, mammals do.
Brain uses much more energy in REM, rather than in
being awake or NREM sleep. Moreover, body is
paralyzed making dreamer vulnerable!
Amount of REM sleep decreases with age.
Conclusion:
REM sleep may play an important role in the
development of the infant brain.
Provides an internal source of intense stimulation
which would facilitate the maturation of the infant's
nervous system.
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Problem Solving 2007
Do dreams help us?
Dreams/REM sleep help in
learning and memory
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Evidence 1: Learning tasks that require
significant concentration is followed by
increased REM sleep
Evidence 2: REM sleep deprivation inhibits
complex learning
REM sleep helps cope with traumatic
experiences and emotional adjustment
Helps information processing and also
problem solving!
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Problem Solving 2007
Creativity in dreams
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Otto Loewi dreamed of an experiment that proved
that transmission of nerve impulses was chemical,
not electrical. This dream led to a Nobel prize.
Elias Howe (one of several independent inventors of
the sewing machine) invented the needle with the
eye at the tip. In a dream, Howe found himself in
Africa, being chased by cannibals with spears with a
hole near the head.
Tune for famous Beatles song ‘Yesterday’ came to
Paul McCartney in a dream.
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Problem Solving 2007
Dream industry
Commercialization
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Dream dictionary: Find out what dreams
tell you about your life, your job, your
everything!
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Dream pills : Don't waste time in
useless dreaming! Use it for creative
inspiration, lucid dreaming, personal
growth, pleasure, success, improved
memory and more!
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Problem Solving 2007
Commercialization (contd)
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Dream interpretation services
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Increase dream recall
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Develop dream intuition
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Conclusion
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Dreams occur to everyone (atleast all
mammals)
Though why they occur is a puzzle, they
might help solve some other puzzles in life
Recalling dreams and interpreting them is
always fun!
Suggestion: Do not compromise sleep for
work! Sleep over your decisions and
research.
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Problem Solving 2007