By Leah Wojtach
leahwojtach.wordpress.com
Keith Tan, Div. 473, sprints through the streets to catch the train about to depart. He does not know why, but it is vital for him to catch this train. He makes it to the platform as the doors shut, leaving him stranded. Tan awakes from this dream suddenly.
There are many theories for why dreams occur the way they do. Some people can remember their dreams easily. Others are unaware of their dreams. Still others take their dreams a step further, believing they have hidden meaning.
Tan had a long string of dreams where he would miss his train, bus, or even plane. He took these signs of frustration and researched more into them. He discovered online that these dreams meant he was having a difficult time making an important decision. He was not convinced this was the reason why. He did not feel he had to make any life changing decisions at the moment.
“I think what you dream stems from things happening to you in real life. If something stresses you out it will manifest itself as something in your dream,” Tan said.
Tan has the same beliefs as the activation- synthesis theory. This theory suggests that the physiological processes of the brain cause dreams. Our dreams try to make sense of all the signals and internal activities our brain is going through. It is associated with sensations, memories, and emotions.
“Our brain never shuts off. It has ideas floating around always looking for patterns. It tries to make sense of them and develop them into stories,” said AP Psychology teacher Mr. Parsons.
Libby Auger, Div. 450, believes this occurs to her also. She believes her anxieties present themselves in her dreams.
“A lot of times, before a big event, I’ll have dreams of things that can go possibly wrong. Once I realize it’s a dream, I know that won’t happen,” Auger said.
Auger’s anxiety filled dreams are considered to be a part of the information-processing theory of dreams. This theory defines that stress during the day will increase the intensity of your dream.
The activation-synthesis theory also posits that dreams may be stories made up of by a literary part of the mind caused by intense brain activity. Erin McDermott, Div. 470, unlike Auger and Tan, receives inspiration for stories from her dreams. One in particular struck her as an interesting plot.
“I am really interested in fantasy and had a dream where I was sorceress on a mission,” McDermott said. “After I woke up, I thought ‘wow, this story is awesome.’ So I wrote it down, because I figured I would have more dreams like it.”
Parsons agrees with the activation-synthesis theory.
McDermott added more details to these dreams and plans to write a novel out of them one day.
Some people have the ability to lucid dream as they sleep. Lucid dreaming is the ability to realize that you are dreaming and can control the storyline of your dream. Ivan Leon, Div. 457, has this ability.
“I know I’m dreaming when I’m not in my room. I have to question myself how I got where I am,” Leon said. “Stay calm and convince yourself you’re in reality. You have to believe you are dreaming.”
Leon also believes this can predict his future.
“If I fall asleep thinking about something, my dreams can predict my actions, my future. It can’t predict other people’s future, but it can predict what I may do in the future,” Leon said.
Dream theorist and psychologist Carl G. Jung believed dreams provide prospective images of the future and argues that dreams also look forward to anticipate what the dreamer’s future developments may be.
Angel Marcos, Div. 459, believes his dreams can predict pregnancies in his family. In 8th grade, he dreamt of a clipboard containing baby names. He was asked by his mom to pick a name for his new sibling. He was confused when he awoke and asked his mom of the slight chance if she was pregnant. She said no, but later that night she found out she was pregnant. A similar situation later occurred with Marcos’s cousin in which he had a dream she was pregnant before she even knew.
Although there are many different theories concerning the reasons behind dreams, it still remains a mystery to all.
