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The Nature and Functions of Dreaming
The Nature and Function of Dreaming presents a comprehensive theory of dreaming based on many years of psychological and biological research by Ernest Hartmann and others. Critical to this theory is the concept of a Central Image; in this volume, Hartmann describes his repeated finding that dreams of being swept away by a tidal wave are common among people who have recently experienced a trauma of some kind - a fire, an attack, or a rape. Dreams with these Central Images are not dreams of the traumatic experience itself, but rather the Central Image reveals the emotional response to the experience. Dreams with a potent Central Image, like the tidal wave, vary in intensity along with the severity of the trauma; this pattern was shown quite powerfully in a systematic study of dreams occuring before and after the September 11 attacks in New York.
Hartmann's theory comprises three fundamental dreaming is simply one form of mental functioning, occurring along a continuum from focused waking thought to reverie, daydreaming, and fantasy. Second, dreaming is hyperconnective, linking material more fluidly and making connections that aren't made as readily in waking thought. Finally, the connections that are made are not random, but rather are guided by the dreamer's emotions or emotional concerns - and the more powerful the emotion, the more intense the Central Image.
Hartmann's theory comprises three fundamental dreaming is simply one form of mental functioning, occurring along a continuum from focused waking thought to reverie, daydreaming, and fantasy. Second, dreaming is hyperconnective, linking material more fluidly and making connections that aren't made as readily in waking thought. Finally, the connections that are made are not random, but rather are guided by the dreamer's emotions or emotional concerns - and the more powerful the emotion, the more intense the Central Image.
- GenresPsychology
176 pages, Hardcover
First published October 27, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 3, 2016
Among all the books related to the dream concept that I have read, this one's an extraordinary. And I hope to read something like it as soon as possible.
January 1, 2022
𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩, 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘨 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘳𝘵.
If you are at all interested in dreams this is the book to read. Hartmann's theory is comprehensive & based on psychological & biological research. I was interested most in his concept of Central Image. He found that dreams of being swept away by a tidal wave or falling off a cliff are common in people who have experienced trauma such as fire or attack. Dreams with Central Images are not dreams of a traumatic experience but reveal the emotional response to it. Hartman uses a study of dreams before & after 9/11 to illustrate his findings on Central Image & it's just one of the interesting studies included in this book. He also covers daydreaming and fantasy as a form of mental functioning. Dreams, daydreaming, & fantasy are on a continuum & influence each other; we make connections while dreaming that aren't as easily made when awake (which in turn) helps gain new perspective or understanding of things we are trying to figure out, process, or accept. The mix of research, theory, & ideas make for fascinating reading!
If you are at all interested in dreams this is the book to read. Hartmann's theory is comprehensive & based on psychological & biological research. I was interested most in his concept of Central Image. He found that dreams of being swept away by a tidal wave or falling off a cliff are common in people who have experienced trauma such as fire or attack. Dreams with Central Images are not dreams of a traumatic experience but reveal the emotional response to it. Hartman uses a study of dreams before & after 9/11 to illustrate his findings on Central Image & it's just one of the interesting studies included in this book. He also covers daydreaming and fantasy as a form of mental functioning. Dreams, daydreaming, & fantasy are on a continuum & influence each other; we make connections while dreaming that aren't as easily made when awake (which in turn) helps gain new perspective or understanding of things we are trying to figure out, process, or accept. The mix of research, theory, & ideas make for fascinating reading!
October 20, 2020
Brilliant book by Dr. Hartmann. He sadly died in 2013 in the middle of his quest to understand dreams. I consider it a great loss for world of science especially regarding studies of dreams. This book contains plenty of exciting research, interesting theories, ideas and speculations, elegantly combining scholarly and popular way of writing. To be honest I am not too familiar with the research of dreams in the past 5 years, but I am sure studies presented in this book are still relevant and not too dated.
October 11, 2024
Jednoducho napísané, podložené výskumami autora a kolektívu, slovenský preklad nie je moc kvalitný..
September 22, 2016
Great short review on what we know about dreams today, especially on the science POV.
Some parts could have been thicker with additional studies, such as Dream function or Dream content, and lucid dreaming is only mentioned once or twice while we may be close to create a systematic way to induce it via transcranial stimulation.
But overall, the book is solid and interesting. Kudos to Mr. Hartmann !
Some parts could have been thicker with additional studies, such as Dream function or Dream content, and lucid dreaming is only mentioned once or twice while we may be close to create a systematic way to induce it via transcranial stimulation.
But overall, the book is solid and interesting. Kudos to Mr. Hartmann !
September 13, 2014
Fine overview. Much more satisfying than Freuds rigorous, authoritative dictionary of interpretations. The dreamer should be the one to have the last word on the understanding of the dream. Interpretation may never be the right concept to define the function of a dream. Hartmann's main outline of his Contemporary Theory of dreaming includes 1. Dreaming is a mental function, not for example and alien invasion. 2. It is a creation not a reply. 3. Dreams are guided by emotions. 4. Think of them as a pictoral metaphore and relaxed away from dreams. 5. There will be new material woven in as adptation. 6. Dreams and day-dreams work on a continuum, influencing each other. "Appreciate the dream as you appreciate art and don't expect the absolute truth don't expect to completely understand a big dream anymore than you expect to completely understand a great work of art."
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews