Histoical Framework of Dream Theory

(1) investigating, recording, analyzing, and interpreting past conceptual models of the structure, functions, and meaning of dreams and dreaming and then

(2) delineating the relationship of these past models to current theoretical perspectives.

Like all historical analyses, the overall research goal will be to use developments over time in the phenomena of interest (theories of dreams) in order to arrive at key generalizations which establish a unifying pattern of thought giving rise to contemporary perspectives of dreams and dreaming.

What are dreams and what, if anything, do they mean? As noted by Stein (1995), both physical and behavioral scientists have formulated models attempting to delineate the nature of dreams and dreaming and the role of these phenomena in psychological and neurobiological processes. These models have been developed and, if not discarded, refined and expanded over time (Stein, 1995).

However, to-date, there has not been any historical analysis of the major theoretical models of dreams and dreaming. Such an analysis is important because it would assist in deepening the scientific and behavioral understanding of dreams by providing a chronological framework and organization to general dream theory de

. . .
ted and competing theoretical views had not yet been developed. However, what can be noted is that there was a basic difference in approach. Psychological dream theories of the time were basically focused on constructing some type of logical framework within which to better understand the meaning of dreams, this because the essential assumptive framework of psychological theories was that the dream product goes beyond the conscious intentions of the dreamer. The neurobiophysical approach, however, was relatively unconcerned with the meaning of dreams. Rather, the interest was upon those neurological and bodily processes that occur during sleep and dreams. However, this does not mean that this approach was not at all concerned with dream theory. It's basic thrust was to determine whether the psychological theories of the time, especially psychoanalytic theory, were in accord with compiled neurobiophysical data. Regarding the above, findings of studies examining whether psychological theories of the time were in accord with sleep research data were mixed, a fact which of itself, led to the development some new dream theories in the years following 1960, namely those that were more grounded in the laboratory findings of sl
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Samuel Lowy's, Conclusions Based, Similarities Differences, Eugene Gendlin's, REM NREM, Kiess Bloomquist, Introduction Study, Empirical Research, Psychological Theories, According LaBerge, dreams dreaming, dream theory, psychological theories, lucid dreaming, laberge 1993, rem sleep, theories dreams, dream content, 1960 1996, lucid dreams, developed 1960 1996, psychological theories dreams, 1960 1996 period, van de castle, theories dreams dreaming,
Approximate Word count = 9745
Approximate Pages = 39 (250 words per page)