front 1 Information Processing / Consolidation Explanation | back 1 Dreams help us sort out the day's events and consolidate memories. Critical Consideration: But why do we sometimes dream about things we haven’t experienced or past events? |
front 2 Physiological Function Explanation | back 2 Regular brain stimulation from REM sleep may help develop and preserve neural pathways. Critical Consideration: This does not explain why we experience meaningful dreams. |
front 3 Activation Synthesis Explanation | back 3 REM sleep triggers neural activity that evokes random visual memories, which the sleeping brain weaves into stories. Critical Consideration: The brain is weaving the stories, which still tells us something about the dreamer. |
front 4 Cognitive Development Explanation | back 4 Dream content reflects the dreamer’s level of cognitive development; dreams simulate life, including worst-case scenarios. Critical Consideration: Does not propose an adaptive function of dreams. |