Activation synthesis theory and bizarre dreams

Overview

Random activation in the pons during REM sleep, the limbic system and synthesis in the cortex, and Williams's study comparing the bizarreness of dreams and fantasies.

What you need to know

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Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What does the activation synthesis theory claim about dreams?

   Model answer

   Hobson and McCarley (1977) proposed that dreams are the brain's attempt to make sense of random activity during REM sleep. Dreams have no hidden meaning in this theory.

2. 2

   What is the role of REM sleep in the activation synthesis theory?

   Model answer

   REM sleep is when the brainstem sends bursts of random signals to the rest of the brain. The theory links the most vivid dreams to this REM activity.

3. 3

   What happens to neurons in the pons during REM sleep?

   Model answer

   Neurons in the pons, part of the brainstem, fire in random bursts during REM sleep. The signals travel up to activate the limbic system and the cortex, which is the activation stage.

4. 4

   What is the role of the limbic system in dreaming?

   Model answer

   Random signals from the pons activate the limbic system, which handles emotion and memory. The amygdala adds strong emotions such as fear, and the hippocampus supplies memories.

5. 5

   What is synthesis in the activation synthesis theory?

   Model answer

   Synthesis is the cerebral cortex combining the random signals into a story. The cortex draws on stored memories to make the activity seem meaningful.

6. 6

   Why are dreams often bizarre, according to the activation synthesis theory?

   Model answer

   The signals from the pons are random, so the story the cortex builds from them is often illogical. Sudden changes of scene reflect new bursts of activity.

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