Dreams

Brown 1
Do you ever wonder what produces or what your dreams/ nightmares really are? How are they processed? Why are some enjoyable and some terrifying? This paper will explain it all. The paper will consist of basic information, the history about dreams, why it interests me, why you should study it in psychology, and a self application will conclude the paper.
Dreams are mental experiences that are formed in the brain during sleep. Many parts of the brain contribute to dream creation. The interpretations of dreams date back to 3000-4000 B.C., when dreams were documented on clay tablets. In the Greek and Roman eras, dreams were seen in a religious context. They were believed to be direct messages from the gods or from the dead. The people of that time look to their dreams for solutions on what to do or what course of action to take. They believed dreams forewarned and predicted the future. Special shrines were even built where people can go there to sleep in hopes that a message could be passed to them through their dreams. Their belief in the power of a dream was so strong that it even dictated the actions of political and military leaders. Dream interpreters even accompanied military leaders into battle to help with war strategy. Greek philosopher, Aristotle believed that dreams were a result of physiological functions. Dreams were able to diagnose illness and predict onset of diseases. In Egypt, priests also acted as dream interpreters. The Egyptians recorded their dreams in hieroglyphics. People with particular vivid and significant dreams were believed to be blessed and were considered special. People who had the power to interpret dreams were looked up to and seen as divinely gifted.  In the 19th century, Sigmund Freud revived the importance of dreams and its significance and need for interpretation. He revolutionized the study of dreams. He believes that nothing you do occurs by chance every action and thought is motivated by your unconscious at some... [continues]

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