Consciousness Free Response
September 27, 2011
AP Psychology, period 2
Consciousness Free Response
1. a) The topic of dreams is certainly a complex and interesting subject to further investigate, having many different aspects and meanings to it. There are many theories and ideologies regarding why dreams occur in the first place, such as wish fulfillment theory, activation synthesis theory, as well as cognitive development, information processing, and physiological function. Freud suggested wish fulfillment theory, and it refers to the belief that dreams provide a sort of psychic protection gate to dismiss unacceptable feelings that one may feel. Dreams have manifest content as well, that also have symbolic feelings, (latent content) which further signify unacceptable feelings. (For example, if one dreams about an accident at sea, that would potentially symbolize a fear of a relationship break-up.) Activation synthesis theory proposes that the brain engages itself in a lot of random neural activity, and dreams make sense of these actions. Cognitive development, which is a theory argued by many researchers, which saids that we dream in order to further mature our brain and cognitive abilities. Information processing assumes that dreams sift through our daily recollections and occurrences in order to put it in our memories. Lastly, physiological functions states that dreams supply the brain with periodic stimulation to instigate and preserve neural pathways, as a result of the neural systems quickly developing and requiring more sleep in conclusion.
1.b) A while ago, I had a terrifying nightmare that caused me to wake up drenched in fear. My sister and I were walking around a town, and all of a sudden we saw the KKK members take over the whole town, screaming and yelling with their microphones, telling everyone to watch out, because they were capable of capturing anyone. Suddenly, my sister and I found ourselves being chased by a whole brigade of the KKK members, in the direction of
AP Psychology, period 2
Consciousness Free Response
1. a) The topic of dreams is certainly a complex and interesting subject to further investigate, having many different aspects and meanings to it. There are many theories and ideologies regarding why dreams occur in the first place, such as wish fulfillment theory, activation synthesis theory, as well as cognitive development, information processing, and physiological function. Freud suggested wish fulfillment theory, and it refers to the belief that dreams provide a sort of psychic protection gate to dismiss unacceptable feelings that one may feel. Dreams have manifest content as well, that also have symbolic feelings, (latent content) which further signify unacceptable feelings. (For example, if one dreams about an accident at sea, that would potentially symbolize a fear of a relationship break-up.) Activation synthesis theory proposes that the brain engages itself in a lot of random neural activity, and dreams make sense of these actions. Cognitive development, which is a theory argued by many researchers, which saids that we dream in order to further mature our brain and cognitive abilities. Information processing assumes that dreams sift through our daily recollections and occurrences in order to put it in our memories. Lastly, physiological functions states that dreams supply the brain with periodic stimulation to instigate and preserve neural pathways, as a result of the neural systems quickly developing and requiring more sleep in conclusion.
1.b) A while ago, I had a terrifying nightmare that caused me to wake up drenched in fear. My sister and I were walking around a town, and all of a sudden we saw the KKK members take over the whole town, screaming and yelling with their microphones, telling everyone to watch out, because they were capable of capturing anyone. Suddenly, my sister and I found ourselves being chased by a whole brigade of the KKK members, in the direction of