Course details

8.3556

Why We Dream

 S
SS 2023 Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa, M.Sc. Katharina Lüth OFFLINE
2h/wk
4 ECTS 		B.Sc modules:
CS-BWP-CNP - Cognitive (Neuro-)Psychology
CS-BWP-NI - Neuroinformatics
KOGW-WPM-KNP - Cognitive (Neuro-)Psychology
KOGW-WPM-NI - Neuroinformatics
M.Sc modules:
CS-MWP-CNP - Cognitive (Neuro-)Psychology
CS-MWP-NI - Neuroinformatics

CS-BW - Bachelor elective course
CS-MW - Master elective course

What are dreams? How are they produced? And what are they for? In this BLOCK seminar we will look at various theories about the function and origin of dreams, including e.g. the claim that dreams are simulations of the real world that help us prepare for waking life. Another theory suggests that dreams are crucial for emotion regulation and anxiety extinction, much like overnight therapy. The continuity hypothesis states that dreams mirror our thoughts and actions in waking life. Others claim that we dream in order to forget. Still others claim that dreams have no function and are an epiphenomenon. The overfitted brain hypothesis states that bizarre images in dreams prevent the brain from overfitting. The structure of the seminar will be a mix of reading assignments and student presentations, as well as class discussion. Prerequisits are basic knowledge in Cognitive Neuropsychology. The course is for students from the 3. Semester on.