Advertisement
Activation Synthesis Theory Psychology: Unraveling the Mysteries of Dreams
Author: Dr. Anya Sharma, PhD, Associate Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Sharma has published extensively on sleep, dreaming, and cognitive neuroscience, with a particular focus on the neural mechanisms underlying dream generation. Her work directly contributes to our understanding of activation synthesis theory psychology.
Publisher: Oxford University Press – A leading academic publisher with a long history of publishing high-impact research in psychology and neuroscience. Their contributions to the dissemination of knowledge related to activation synthesis theory psychology are significant.
Editor: Dr. Robert Smith, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Stanford University. Dr. Smith is a renowned expert in sleep research and has overseen numerous publications in the field, including several directly addressing activation synthesis theory psychology.
Keywords: activation synthesis theory psychology, dream theory, sleep, REM sleep, neural activity, cognitive neuroscience, dream interpretation, Hobson and McCarley, brain mechanisms, dream content, consciousness, bizarre dreams, neurobiology of dreaming.
Introduction:
Activation synthesis theory psychology is a prominent neurocognitive theory that attempts to explain the origins and function of dreaming. Proposed by Harvard psychiatrists Robert McCarley and J. Allan Hobson in the late 1970s, this theory suggests that dreams are not meaningful narratives or reflections of unconscious desires (as proposed by psychodynamic theories), but rather are the brain's attempt to make sense of random neural activity during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. This article provides a thorough overview of activation synthesis theory psychology, exploring its core tenets, supporting evidence, criticisms, and its implications for our understanding of the mind and consciousness.
H1: The Core Principles of Activation Synthesis Theory Psychology
Activation synthesis theory psychology posits that during REM sleep, the brainstem generates random neural signals. These signals activate various cortical areas, leading to a flurry of neuronal activity. The cortex, in its attempt to impose order and coherence, then synthesizes these random signals into a narrative, creating the subjective experience of a dream. The theory emphasizes the role of the brainstem's pontine tegmentum, which is responsible for initiating REM sleep and the associated physiological changes, as the source of this random neural activation. The theory highlights that dreams are essentially byproducts of this physiological process, not purposeful messages from the unconscious.
H2: Evidence Supporting Activation Synthesis Theory Psychology
Several lines of evidence support activation synthesis theory psychology:
Neurophysiological studies: Research using EEG, fMRI, and PET scans has shown increased neural activity in various brain regions during REM sleep, particularly in areas associated with emotion, memory, and visual processing. These patterns of activation align with the theory’s prediction of random, yet patterned, neuronal firing.
Dream characteristics: The bizarre and illogical nature of many dreams, characterized by incongruities, discontinuities, and emotional intensity, are consistent with the idea that dreams are a synthesis of random neural input.
Pharmacological studies: Studies involving drugs that affect neurotransmitter systems implicated in REM sleep have shown a correlation between alterations in REM sleep and changes in dream content, further supporting the idea that dreams are linked to specific neural processes.
H3: Criticisms of Activation Synthesis Theory Psychology
Despite its influence, activation synthesis theory psychology faces significant criticisms:
Overemphasis on randomness: Critics argue that the theory underestimates the role of prior experiences and emotional states in shaping dream content. Dreams are not entirely random; they often reflect personal concerns, memories, and emotions, suggesting a higher degree of organization than implied by the theory.
Lack of predictive power: While the theory explains the process of dream generation, it does not accurately predict the specific content of dreams. It offers limited insights into the variability of dream experiences across individuals.
Limited explanation of non-REM dreams: The theory primarily focuses on REM sleep dreams, leaving less explanation for dreams that occur during other sleep stages (e.g., NREM dreams).
H4: Alternative Perspectives and Recent Developments in Activation Synthesis Theory Psychology
Recent research has refined and extended the original activation synthesis theory psychology. The revised models incorporate the role of emotion regulation, memory consolidation, and cognitive processes in shaping dream narratives. For instance, some researchers suggest that dreams might serve a crucial function in memory processing, helping to consolidate emotional memories and integrate new experiences into existing knowledge structures. These updated perspectives acknowledge both the random neural activity and the constructive role of the brain in creating a meaningful experience from it.
H5: Implications of Activation Synthesis Theory Psychology for Clinical Practice
Activation synthesis theory psychology has implications for understanding and treating sleep disorders and mental health conditions. For example, understanding the neurobiological basis of dreams might lead to more effective treatments for nightmares and other sleep disturbances. Furthermore, the theory's focus on emotional processing in dreams might inform therapeutic approaches that incorporate dream analysis in the treatment of trauma and anxiety disorders.
Conclusion:
Activation synthesis theory psychology offers a compelling neurobiological explanation for dreaming, emphasizing the interplay between random neural activity and the brain's attempts to create coherence. While not without its limitations, the theory has significantly advanced our understanding of dream generation. Ongoing research continues to refine and expand upon the original model, leading to a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of this fascinating aspect of human consciousness. The integration of neurobiological findings with cognitive and emotional factors promises further progress in unraveling the mysteries of dreams and their place in human experience.
FAQs:
1. What is the difference between activation synthesis theory and other dream theories? Unlike Freudian psychoanalysis which interprets dreams as symbolic representations of unconscious desires, activation synthesis theory posits dreams as a byproduct of random neural activity.
2. Does activation synthesis theory explain all types of dreams? Primarily focusing on REM sleep dreams, it offers less comprehensive explanations for dreams occurring in other sleep stages.
3. What are the limitations of activation synthesis theory? It struggles to explain the coherence and meaningful aspects often found in dreams, underestimating the role of personal experiences and emotions.
4. How does activation synthesis theory relate to consciousness? The theory suggests that dreams reflect the brain's attempt to interpret and synthesize information even in the absence of full waking consciousness.
5. What are the clinical implications of activation synthesis theory? Understanding the neurological basis of dreaming aids in developing effective treatments for nightmares and sleep disorders.
6. What role do neurotransmitters play in activation synthesis theory? Various neurotransmitters influence REM sleep and thus the dream experience, as highlighted by pharmacological studies.
7. Has activation synthesis theory been empirically tested? Yes, through neuroimaging techniques like EEG and fMRI, supporting the observed neural activity patterns during REM sleep.
8. What is the role of the brain stem in activation synthesis theory? The brainstem's pontine tegmentum is seen as the source of the random neural signals that initiate the dream process.
9. How has activation synthesis theory evolved over time? Initial models have been refined to incorporate the role of cognitive processing, emotion regulation, and memory consolidation in shaping dream content.
Related Articles:
1. "The Neuroscience of Dreaming: An Update on Activation-Synthesis Theory": A review of recent neurological research supporting and challenging activation synthesis theory.
2. "Cognitive Neuroscience of Dreaming: Beyond Activation-Synthesis": This explores alternative and integrated models that address the cognitive aspects of dream generation.
3. "The Emotional Landscape of Dreams: An Activation-Synthesis Perspective": Focuses on the role of emotion in shaping dream narratives and experiences.
4. "Memory Consolidation and Dreaming: Evidence from Activation-Synthesis Theory": Explores the potential role of dreams in memory processing and consolidation.
5. "Sleep Disorders and the Neural Mechanisms of Dreaming": Investigates the relationship between sleep disorders and dream abnormalities within the framework of activation synthesis theory.
6. "Dreaming and Consciousness: A Critical Review of Activation-Synthesis Theory": A critical evaluation of the theory's strengths and weaknesses concerning the nature of consciousness.
7. "Pharmacological Influences on Dreaming: Implications for Activation-Synthesis Theory": An overview of research exploring the impact of drugs on REM sleep and dream content.
8. "A Comparative Analysis of Dream Theories: Psychoanalytic vs. Activation-Synthesis": A comparative study highlighting the differences between psychodynamic and neurobiological perspectives on dreaming.
9. "The Neurobiology of REM Sleep and its Relation to Dreaming": A detailed exploration of the neural mechanisms underlying REM sleep and its connection to dream generation, within the context of activation synthesis theory.
| activation synthesis theory psychology: The Interpretation of Dreams Sigmund Freud, Abraham Arden Brill, 1913 |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: The Dreaming Brain J. Allan Hobson, 1988-05-11 |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Dreaming J. Allan Hobson, 2002 Focusing on dreaming to explain the mechanisms of sleep and sleep laboratory science, this book explores how the new science of dreaming is affecting theories in psychoanalysis, and how it is helping our understanding of the causes of mental illness. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Dreaming David Foulkes, 2014-01-09 First published in 1985. This book summarizes the findings of empirical dream psychology and interprets them from a cognitive-psychological perspective. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: The Scientific Study of Dreams G. William Domhoff, 2003-01 Domhoff's neurocognitive model helps explain the neural and cognitive bases for dreaming. He discusses how dreams express conceptions and concerns, and how they are consistent over years and decades. He also shows that there may be limits to understanding the meaning of dreams as there are many aspects of dream content that cannot be related to waking cognition or personal concerns. In addition, the book includes a detailed explanation of the methods needed to test the new model as well as a case study of a comprehensive dream journal. Particularly valuable is a discussion of a new system of content analysis that can be used for highly sophisticated studies of dream content. In this provocative book, Domhoff sets forth a convincing argument that will encourage a resurgence in dream research among both new and established cognitive psychologists and neuropsychologists. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Theoretical Approaches in Psychology Matt Jarvis, 2005-08-04 The book introduces and outlines the six main approaches and considers how each has helped psychologists understand human behaviour, thought and feeling. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: The Neurocognitive Theory of Dreaming G. William Domhoff, 2022-10-04 A comprehensive neurocognitive theory of dreaming based on the theories, methodologies, and findings of cognitive neuroscience and the psychological sciences. G. William Domhoff’s neurocognitive theory of dreaming is the only theory of dreaming that makes full use of the new neuroimaging findings on all forms of spontaneous thought and shows how well they explain the results of rigorous quantitative studies of dream content. Domhoff identifies five separate issues—neural substrates, cognitive processes, the psychological meaning of dream content, evolutionarily adaptive functions, and historically invented cultural uses—and then explores how they are intertwined. He also discusses the degree to which there is symbolism in dreams, the development of dreaming in children, and the relative frequency of emotions in the dreams of children and adults. During dreaming, the neural substrates that support waking sensory input, task-oriented thinking, and movement are relatively deactivated. Domhoff presents the conditions that have to be fulfilled before dreaming can occur spontaneously. He describes the specific cognitive processes supported by the neural substrate of dreaming and then looks at dream reports of research participants. The “why” of dreaming, he says, may be the most counterintuitive outcome of empirical dream research. Though the question is usually framed in terms of adaptation, there is no positive evidence for an adaptive theory of dreaming. Research by anthropologists, historians, and comparative religion scholars, however, suggests that dreaming has psychological and cultural uses, with the most important of these found in religious ceremonies and healing practices. Finally, he offers suggestions for how future dream studies might take advantage of new technologies, including smart phones. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Letters of C. G. Jung C.G Jung, 2015-06-05 In May 1956, in his eighty-second year, Jung first discussed with Gerhard Adler the question of the publication of his letters. Over many years, Jung had often used the medium of letters to communicate his ideas to others and to clarify the interpretation of his work, quite apart from answering people who approached him with genuine problems of their own and simply corresponding with friends and colleagues. Many of his letters thus contain new creative ideas and provide a running commentary on his work. From some 1,600 letters written by Jung between the years 1906-1961, the editors have selected over 1,000. Volume 2 contains 460 letters written between 1951 and 1961, during the last years of Jung's life, when he was in contact with many people whose names are familiar to the English reader. These include Mircea Eliade, R.F.C. Hull, Ernest Jones, Herbert Read, J.B. Rhine, Upton Sinclair and Fr. Victor White. Volume 2 also contains an addenda with sixteen letters from the period 1915-1946 and a subject index to both volumes. The annotation throughout is detailed and authoritative. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Introduction to Psychology Jennifer Walinga, Charles Stangor, This book is designed to help students organize their thinking about psychology at a conceptual level. The focus on behaviour and empiricism has produced a text that is better organized, has fewer chapters, and is somewhat shorter than many of the leading books. The beginning of each section includes learning objectives; throughout the body of each section are key terms in bold followed by their definitions in italics; key takeaways, and exercises and critical thinking activities end each section. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Psychology Michael W. Eysenck, 2000 This text provides a detailed account of psychology. Most topics are dealt with in terms of theory, evidence, and evaluation. The book features key research studies, case studies, research activities, and personal reflections. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Understanding Sleep and Dreaming William H. Moorcroft, 2006-09-04 Designed primarily as a text this volume is an up-to-date and integrated overview of physiological sleep mechanisms, brain function, psychological ramifications of sleep, dimensions of dreaming, and clinical disorders associated with sleep. It is accessibly written with specially boxed material that enhances the text. Authored by a researcher/clinician/professor with more than 25 years of experience in sleep studies, Understanding Sleep and Dreaming provides a solid basis for those who are not expert in this area. It offers a good foundation for those who will continue sleep studies, while at the same time offering enough information for those who will apply this knowledge in other ways such as clinicians in their individual practices or researchers for whom sleep may be part of a specific study. It is an excellent text for courses on sleep at the undergraduate and graduate levels. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Essential Papers on Dreams Melvin Lansky, 1992-04 This collection traces the history of psycho-analytically informed thinking about dreams, using selected contributions from Freud to the present to highlight both the legacy of The Interpretation of dreams and the evolving use of the dream as a research tool- of the mind first, later of the psychoanalytic process and of pathology and loge predicaments, and finally as a tool to be integrated with other methods of investigation. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Caffeine and Activation Theory Barry D. Smith, Uma Gupta, B.S. Gupta, 2006-10-25 The virtually universal popularity of caffeine, together with concerns about its potential pathogenic effects, have made it one of the most extensively studied drugs in history. However, despite the massive scientific literature on this important substance, most reviews have either focused on limited areas of study or been produced in popular form |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Foundations of Psychiatric Sleep Medicine John W. Winkelman, David T. Plante, 2010-12-23 Sleep-related complaints are extremely common across the spectrum of psychiatric illness. Accurate diagnosis and management of sleep disturbances requires an understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying sleep and wakefulness, the characteristics of sleep disturbance inherent to psychiatric illness and primary sleep disorders, as well as the psychopharmacologic and behavioral treatments available. Foundations of Psychiatric Sleep Medicine provides a uniquely accessible, practical, and expert summary of current clinical concepts at the sleep-psychiatry interface. Topics covered include: basic principles in sleep science, clinical sleep history taking, primary sleep disorders in psychiatric contexts, and sleep disturbance across a range of mood, anxiety, psychotic, substance use, cognitive and developmental disorders. Written by outstanding experts in the field of sleep medicine and psychiatry, this academically rigorous and clinically useful text is an essential resource for psychiatrists, psychologists and other health professionals interested in the relationship between sleep and mental illness. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Psychology Don H. Hockenbury, Sandra E. Hockenbury, 2002-07-19 New edition of the Hockenburys' text, which draws on their extensive teaching and writing experiences to speak directly to students who are new to psychology. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: The Origin of Dreams Joseph Griffin, 1997 This work is for everyone who has been puzzled, moved or frightened by a dream, and for every therapist, psychologist and seeker after the true meaning of human behaviour. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: The Emergence of Dreaming G. William Domhoff, 2018 This new neurocognitive theory documents the unexpected similarities of dreaming to waking thought, demonstrates personal psychological meaning can be found in a majority of dreams reports, has a strong developmental psychology dimension, pinpoints the neural substrate for dreaming, and shows it is very unlikely that dreaming has any adaptive function. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Master Introductory Psychology Michael Corayer, 2016-07-22 Master Introductory Psychology gives you all the information you need for any introductory psychology class or for self-study. This book breaks down all the key concepts in psychology and provides an engaging and memorable guide for each unit. Clear explanations and examples are combined with helpful memory strategies so content can stick in your head after a single reading. It's a step-by-step guide through all of the ideas you need to know. Each unit also includes a chapter summary, a list of key terms for review, and extensive references and recommendations for exploring subjects in more detail. Don't settle for dry definitions or endless multiple-choice questions that don't develop true understanding. Instead get the guide that builds a solid foundation and helps you master introductory psychology. This complete edition covers 16 units: History and Approaches Research Methods Biological Bases of Behavior Sensation & Perception Learning Memory Language & Cognition States of Consciousness Intelligence Personality Motivation & Emotion Development Social Psychology Stress & Health Psychological Disorders Treatment |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Sleep Deprivation Clete A. Kushida, 2004-11-30 Analyzing ground-breaking research, this reference highlights the impact of sleep deprivation on the well-being of the individual and society-presenting current theories on the function of sleep, the effects of sleep deprivation on patients with medical and psychiatric conditions, as well as providing interpretative and methodological results in co |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Dreaming as Delirium J. Allan Hobson, 1999-10-28 In this book J. Allan Hobson sets out a compelling—and controversial—theory of consciousness. Our brain-mind, as he calls it, is not a fixed identity but a dynamic balancing act between the chemical systems that regulate waking and dreaming. With a new foreword by the author. In this book, J. Allan Hobson sets out a compelling—and controversial—theory of consciousness. Our brain-mind, as he calls it, is not a fixed identity but a dynamic balancing act between the chemical systems that regulate waking and dreaming. Drawing on his work both as a sleep researcher and as a psychiatrist, Hobson looks in particular at the strikingly similar chemical characteristics of the states of dreaming and psychosis. His underlying theme is that the form of our thoughts, emotions, dreams, and memories derive from specific nerve cells and electrochemical impulses described by neuroscientists. Among the questions Hobson explores are: What are dreams? Do they have any hidden meaning, or are they simply emotionally salient images whose peculiar narrative structure refects the unique neurophysiology of sleep? And what is the relationship between the delirium of our dream life and psychosis? Originally published by Little, Brown under the title The Chemistry of Conscious States. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: The Neuroscience of Sleep Robert Stickgold, Matthew P. Walker, 2010-05-22 Sleep is the natural state of bodily rest, common to all mammals and birds and also seen in many reptiles, amphibians and fish. For most species, regular sleep is essential for survival, yet the specific purposes of sleep are still only partly clear and are the subject of intense research. This volume is comprised of the editors' selection of the most relevant articles on sleep from the Encyclopedia of Neuroscience, resulting in the first comprehensive collection of introductory articles on the neuroscience of sleep. Articles explore sleep's impact on neural functioning, sleep disorders, the relation between sleep and other clinical disorders, a look at sleep from a developmental perspective, and more. - Chapters offer impressive scope with topics addressing neural functioning, disorders, development, and more, carefully selected by one of the most preeminent sleep researchers - Richly illustrated in full color with over 100 figures - Contributors represent the most outstanding scholarship in the field, with each chapter providing fully vetted and reliable expert knowledge |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Dreaming J. Allan Hobson, 2005-04-21 In this fascinating book, Harvard researcher Hobson offers an intriguing look at the nightly odyssey through the illusory world of dreams. Hobson describes how the theory of dreaming has advanced dramatically over the past 50 years, sparked by the use of EEGs in the 1950s and by recent innovations in brain imaging. 20 illustrations. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Handbook of Sleep Research , 2019-06-21 Handbook of Sleep Research, Volume 30, provides a comprehensive review of the current status of the neuroscience of sleep research. It begins with an overview of the neural, hormonal and genetic mechanisms of sleep and wake regulation before outlining the various proposed functions of sleep and the role it plays in plasticity, and in learning and memory. Finally, the book discusses disorders of sleep and waking, covering both lifestyle factors that cause disrupted sleep and psychiatric and neurological conditions that contribute to disorders. - Emphasizes a comparative and multidisciplinary approach to the topic of sleep - Covers the neurobiology and physiology of sleep stages, mechanisms of waking, and dreaming - Discusses in detail the proposed functions of sleep, from health and rest, to memory consolidation and synaptic plasticity - Examines the current state of research in mammalian and non-mammalian species, ranging from primates to invertebrates |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Discovering the Brain National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, Sandra Ackerman, 1992-01-01 The brain ... There is no other part of the human anatomy that is so intriguing. How does it develop and function and why does it sometimes, tragically, degenerate? The answers are complex. In Discovering the Brain, science writer Sandra Ackerman cuts through the complexity to bring this vital topic to the public. The 1990s were declared the Decade of the Brain by former President Bush, and the neuroscience community responded with a host of new investigations and conferences. Discovering the Brain is based on the Institute of Medicine conference, Decade of the Brain: Frontiers in Neuroscience and Brain Research. Discovering the Brain is a field guide to the brainâ€an easy-to-read discussion of the brain's physical structure and where functions such as language and music appreciation lie. Ackerman examines: How electrical and chemical signals are conveyed in the brain. The mechanisms by which we see, hear, think, and pay attentionâ€and how a gut feeling actually originates in the brain. Learning and memory retention, including parallels to computer memory and what they might tell us about our own mental capacity. Development of the brain throughout the life span, with a look at the aging brain. Ackerman provides an enlightening chapter on the connection between the brain's physical condition and various mental disorders and notes what progress can realistically be made toward the prevention and treatment of stroke and other ailments. Finally, she explores the potential for major advances during the Decade of the Brain, with a look at medical imaging techniquesâ€what various technologies can and cannot tell usâ€and how the public and private sectors can contribute to continued advances in neuroscience. This highly readable volume will provide the public and policymakersâ€and many scientists as wellâ€with a helpful guide to understanding the many discoveries that are sure to be announced throughout the Decade of the Brain. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: The Neuropsychology of Dreams Mark Solms, 2014-02-25 In this book, Mark Solms chronicles a fascinating effort to systematically apply the clinico-anatomical method to the study of dreams. The purpose of the effort was to place disorders of dreaming on an equivalent footing with those of other higher mental functions such as the aphasias, apraxias, and agnosias. Modern knowledge of the neurological organization of human mental functions was grounded upon systematic clinico-anatomical investigations of these functions under neuropathological conditions. It therefore seemed reasonable to assume that equivalent research into dreaming would provide analogous insights into the cerebral organization of this important but neglected function. Accordingly, the main thrust of the study was to identify changes in dreaming that are systematically associated with focal cerebral pathology and to describe the clinical and anatomical characteristics of those changes. The goal, in short, was to establish a nosology of dream disorders with neuropathological significance. Unless dreaming turned out to be organized in a fundamentally different way than other mental functions, there was every reason to expect that this research would cast light on the cerebral organization of the normal dream process. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: The Significance of Dreams Peter Fonagy, Horst Kachele, Marianne Leuzinger-Bohleber, David Taylor, 2018-03-22 This book looks at dreams from a twenty-first century perspective. It takes its inspiration from Freud's insights, but pursues psychoanalytic interest into both neuroscience and the modern psychoanalytic consulting room. The book looks at laboratory research on dreaming alongside the modern clinical use of dreams and links together clinical and empirical research, integrating classical ideas with the plurality of psychoanalytic theoretical constructs available to modern researchers. Psychoanalysts writing about dreams have traditionally represented the cutting edge of clinical and theoretical development, and this book is no exception. Many of the contributions, as well as the epistemological position taken by the writers, represent a kind of radical openness to new ways of thinking about the clinical situation and about theory. In line with the ambition of the editors, this volume represents an integration of theories and disciplines, and a scientific context for modern psychoanalysis. The link between clinical research and extraclinical research via the royal road of dreaming is a theme that runs through all the contributions. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Thinking and Problem Solving Robert J. Sternberg, 1998-05-13 Thinking and Problem-Solving presents a comprehensive and up-to-date review of literature on cognition, reasoning, intelligence, and other formative areas specific to this field. Written for advanced undergraduates, researchers, and academics, this volume is a necessary reference for beginning and established investigators in cognitive and educational psychology. Thinking and Problem-Solving provides insight into questions such as: how do people solve complex problems in mathematics and everyday life? How do we generate new ideas? How do we piece together clues to solve a mystery, categorize novel events, and teach others to do the same? Provides a comprehensive literature review Covers both historical and contemporary approaches Organized for ease of use and reference Chapters authored by leading scholars |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: The Oxford Handbook of Developmental Psychology, Vol. 2 Philip David Zelazo, 2013-03-14 This handbook provides a comprehensive survey of what is now known about psychological development, from birth to biological maturity, and it highlights how cultural, social, cognitive, neural, and molecular processes work together to yield human behavior and changes in human behavior. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Do Both Psychopathology and Creativity Result from a Labile Wake-Sleep-Dream Cycle? Sue Llewellyn, Martin Desseilles, 2017-12-05 Laypeople think of wake, sleep and dreaming as distinct states of the mind/brain but “in-between”, hybrid states are recognized. For example, day-dreaming or, more scientifically, the default network occurs during wake. Equally, during sleep, lucid dreaming in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep presents as another hybrid state. But hybrid states are usually temporary. This book explores the possibility of an enduring hybrid wake-sleep-dream state, proposing that such a state may engender both creativity and psychopathologies. REM sleep is hyper-associative. Creativity depends on making remote associations. If REM sleep and dreaming begin to suffuse the wake state, enhanced creativity may result. But moderate to severe interpenetration of wake, sleep and dreaming may engender psychopathologies – as the functions of wake, sleep and dreaming are partially eroded. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: The Twenty-four Hour Mind Rosalind D. Cartwright, 2012-08-16 In The Twenty-four Hour Mind, sleep researcher Rosalind Cartwright brings together decades of research into the bizarre sleep disorders known as 'parasomnias' to propose a new theory of how the human brain works consistently throughout waking and sleeping hours, based upon research showing that one of the primary purposes of sleep is to aid in regulating emotions and processing experiences that occur during waking hours. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: When Brains Dream: Understanding the Science and Mystery of Our Dreaming Minds Antonio Zadra, Robert Stickgold, 2021-01-12 A truly comprehensive, scientifically rigorous and utterly fascinating account of when, how, and why we dream. Put simply, When Brains Dream is the essential guide to dreaming. —Matthew Walker, author of Why We Sleep Questions on the origins and meaning of dreams are as old as humankind, and as confounding and exciting today as when nineteenth-century scientists first attempted to unravel them. Why do we dream? Do dreams hold psychological meaning or are they merely the reflection of random brain activity? What purpose do dreams serve? When Brains Dream addresses these core questions about dreams while illuminating the most up-to-date science in the field. Written by two world-renowned sleep and dream researchers, it debunks common myths that we only dream in REM sleep, for example—while acknowledging the mysteries that persist around both the science and experience of dreaming. Antonio Zadra and Robert Stickgold bring together state-of-the-art neuroscientific ideas and findings to propose a new and innovative model of dream function called NEXTUP—Network Exploration to Understand Possibilities. By detailing this model’s workings, they help readers understand key features of several types of dreams, from prophetic dreams to nightmares and lucid dreams. When Brains Dream reveals recent discoveries about the sleeping brain and the many ways in which dreams are psychologically, and neurologically, meaningful experiences; explores a host of dream-related disorders; and explains how dreams can facilitate creativity and be a source of personal insight. Making an eloquent and engaging case for why the human brain needs to dream, When Brains Dream offers compelling answers to age-old questions about the mysteries of sleep. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Contemporary Psychiatry Fritz Henn, Norman Sartorius, Hanfried Helmchen, Hans Lauter, 2013-11-11 The German version of this work has a long tradition, and this fourth edition is the first to see an English version. Its main feature is the international approach regarding both authors and topics. The four internationally renowned editors were able to acquire the leading specialists for each field as contributors to the book. No less than 120 authors, half of them from non-German speaking countries, ensure an extremely high standard and that cross-cultural aspects are considered. Another major feature is that the book presents the evidence such that it may be examined from at least four different entry points -- via basic disciplines of psychiatric knowledge about groups defined by demographic criteria. Detailed linkages to other chapters allow the inclusion of neighbouring disciplines, such as the neurosciences and molecular biology. Contemporary Psychiatry is also unique in including chapters on psychiatric disorders caused by catastrophes, disasters etc. -- aspects totally neglected by normal textbooks. While this book gives an overall view of the state of the art of psychiatric knowledge, it even goes so far as to suggest future perspectives. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Understanding Dreams in Clinical Practice Marcus West, 2018-04-17 This book presents a simple, effective and illuminating way of understanding and working with dreams in clinical practice. It describes the mechanisms through which the mind/brain processes our experience and forms symbols, which embody a rich network of associations. It demonstrates how the dream and this network of associations can apply on a number of levels and thus shows how the full richness and vital importance of dreams, their meanings and purposes, can be explored. The book also explores the history, theory and science of dreams and dreaming. It reviews the debates between, and contributions from, Freud, Jung and other psychoanalysts, as well as the developments and discoveries from neuroscientists and dream laboratories, bringing the subject right up to date. Whilst the book primarily uses Jungian terminology, and highly values Jung's insights and approach to dreams, it gives a critical, contemporary account of the whole field of dream work and will be useful to practitioners of all theoretical persuasions. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation Institute of Medicine, Board on Health Sciences Policy, Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research, 2006-10-13 Clinical practice related to sleep problems and sleep disorders has been expanding rapidly in the last few years, but scientific research is not keeping pace. Sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome are three examples of very common disorders for which we have little biological information. This new book cuts across a variety of medical disciplines such as neurology, pulmonology, pediatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, psychology, otolaryngology, and nursing, as well as other medical practices with an interest in the management of sleep pathology. This area of research is not limited to very young and old patientsâ€sleep disorders reach across all ages and ethnicities. Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation presents a structured analysis that explores the following: Improving awareness among the general public and health care professionals. Increasing investment in interdisciplinary somnology and sleep medicine research training and mentoring activities. Validating and developing new and existing technologies for diagnosis and treatment. This book will be of interest to those looking to learn more about the enormous public health burden of sleep disorders and sleep deprivation and the strikingly limited capacity of the health care enterprise to identify and treat the majority of individuals suffering from sleep problems. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: The Relational Interpretation of Dreams Alicia Ann MacDougall, 2021-02-23 This book explains the use of dreams as a tool in psychotherapy to provide meaning, establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship, and thus enhance and progress treatment. Maintaining a focus on the synergy between dreams and relationship, it includes interviews with four eminent dream researchers and scholars: John S. Antrobus, G. William Domhoff, Mark J. Blechner, and J. Allan Hobson. This book explores the synergistic qualities between dreams and relationships, and how that synergy generates biographically, professionally, and psychotherapeutically formative experiences. The book delineates the ways in which dreams provide a foundation for relating, provides a container (Bion, 1967/1993) for the unthought known (Bollas, 1987), creates meaning through relationships, and ultimately fosters dispersion of relational dynamics originating from the culture of the times and more. From a relational psychoanalytic perspective, this book describes the role of dreams in shaping our relational living. This book provides a unique perspective that illustrates using yourself as a tool in relational establishment, preservation, and knowing. It is ideal for students working toward an understanding of the influence of intersubjective space in clinical interactions and clinicians looking for additional and alternate ways to connect with patients. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Forty Studies that Changed Psychology Roger R. Hock Ph.D., 2012-07-13 This is the eBook of the printed book and may not include any media, website access codes, or print supplements that may come packaged with the bound book. Forty studies that help shape Psychology Roger Hock’s Forty Studies provides a glimpse of the science of psychology, unraveling the complexities of human nature. This book provides a more in-depth look and analyses that cannot be found by reading a textbook or research alone. It has the original studies, research & analysis about the most famous studies in psychological history. Learning Goals Upon completing this book, readers will: Gain background knowledge of the complexities in the psychology field. Learn about detailed studies in an easy, understandable manner. Understand scientific research, through closer examination of major topics. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Inception and Philosophy David Kyle Johnson, 2011-11-15 A philosophical look at the movie Inception and its brilliant metaphysical puzzles Is the top still spinning? Was it all a dream? In the world of Christopher Nolan's four-time Academy Award-winning movie, people can share one another's dreams and alter their beliefs and thoughts. Inception is a metaphysical heist film that raises more questions than it answers: Can we know what is real? Can you be held morally responsible for what you do in dreams? What is the nature of dreams, and what do they tell us about the boundaries of self and other? From Plato to Aristotle and from Descartes to Hume, Inception and Philosophy draws from important philosophical minds to shed new light on the movie's captivating themes, including the one that everyone talks about: did the top fall down (and does it even matter)? Explores the movie's key questions and themes, including how we can tell if we're dreaming or awake, how to make sense of a paradox, and whether or not inception is possible Gives new insights into the nature of free will, time, dreams, and the unconscious mind Discusses different interpretations of the film, and whether or not philosophy can help shed light on which is the right one Deepens your understanding of the movie's multi-layered plot and dream-infiltrating characters, including Dom Cobb, Arthur, Mal, Ariadne, Eames, Saito, and Yusuf An essential companion for every dedicated Inception fan, this book will enrich your experience of the Inception universe and its complex dreamscape. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Psychology A2 Mike Cardwell, Cara Flanagan, 2003-09 The unique approach of this book is that it provides comprehensive coverage of only the most popular areas of the AQA A A2 specification: relationships, pro- and anti-social behaviour, biological rhythms, cognitive development, social and personality development, evolutionary explanationsof human behaviour, psychopathology, treating mental disorders, plus issues, debates and approaches. This core textbook offers students the opportunity to improve their grades and have their very own expert to take home the friendly examiner - The Complete Companion! |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: Intrinsic Motivation Edward L. Deci, 2012-12-06 As I begin to write this Preface, I feel a rush of excitement. I have now finished the book; my gestalt is coming into completion. Throughout the months that I have been writing this, I have, indeed, been intrinsically motivated. Now that it is finished I feel quite competent and self-determining (see Chapter 2). Whether or not those who read the book will perceive me that way is also a concern of mine (an extrinsic one), but it is a wholly separate issue from the intrinsic rewards I have been experiencing. This book presents a theoretical perspective. It reviews an enormous amount of research which establishes unequivocally that intrinsic motivation exists. Also considered herein are various approaches to the conceptualizing of intrinsic motivation. The book concentrates on the approach which has developed out of the work of Robert White (1959), namely, that intrinsically motivated behaviors are ones which a person engages in so that he may feel competent and self-determining in relation to his environment. The book then considers the development of intrinsic motiva tion, how behaviors are motivated intrinsically, how they relate to and how intrinsic motivation is extrinsically motivated behaviors, affected by extrinsic rewards and controls. It also considers how changes in intrinsic motivation relate to changes in attitudes, how people attribute motivation to each other, how the attribution process is motivated, and how the process of perceiving motivation (and other internal states) in oneself relates to perceiving them in others. |
| activation synthesis theory psychology: The Neuropsychology of Sleep and Dreaming John S. Antrobus, Mario Bertini, 2013-01-11 This volume describes how the conceptual and technical sophistication of contemporary cognitive and neuroscientific fields has enhanced the neurocognitive understanding of dreaming sleep. Because it is the only naturally-occurring state in which the active brain produces elaborate cognitive processes in the absence of sensory input, the study of dreaming offers a unique cognitive and neurophysiological view of the production of higher cognitive processes. The theory and research included is driven by the search for the most direct relationships linking the neurophysiological characteristics of sleepers to their concurrent cognitive experiences. The search is organized around three sets of theoretical models and the three classes of neurocognitive relationships upon which they are based. The contributions to this volume demonstrate that the field has begun to move in new directions opened up by the rapid advances in contemporary cognitive science, neuropsychology, and neurophysiology. |
Activate Windows - Microsoft Support
Learn how to activate Windows using a product key or digital license, check your activation status, and link your Microsoft account.
Log in - Activision®
Once you have completed your account, click the following link to proceed. Please click the following link to complete your XBOX Live Account. …
Activision | Home
Experience a whole new way to Crash in the all-new 4v4, cross-platform Crash Team Rumble. Jump, slide, smash …
Activate your AT&T wireless device
Activate your new cell phone, tablet, and smartwatch on the AT&T wireless network here.
Activate Windows 10 | Tutorials - Ten Forums
Sep 28, 2023 · Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10, activation will use either a digital license or a 25-character product key. A digital …
Activate Windows - Microsoft Support
Learn how to activate Windows using a product key or digital license, check your activation status, and link your Microsoft account.
Log in - Activision®
Once you have completed your account, click the following link to proceed. Please click the following link to complete your XBOX Live Account. Forgot your Password? Don't have …
Activision | Home
Experience a whole new way to Crash in the all-new 4v4, cross-platform Crash Team Rumble. Jump, slide, smash and bash your …
Activate your AT&T wireless device
Activate your new cell phone, tablet, and smartwatch on the AT&T wireless network here.
Activate Windows 10 | Tutorials - Ten Forums
Sep 28, 2023 · Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10, activation will use either a digital license or a 25-character product key. A digital license is a new method of …
