The threat simulation theory of the evolutionary function of dreaming: Evidence from dreams of traumatized children.
Consciousness and Cognition March 1, 2005 Katja Valli, Antti Revonsuo, Outi Pälkäs et al.
The threat simulation theory (TST) proposes that dreaming evolved as a biological defense mechanism to rehearse threat perception and avoidance, enhancing reproductive success. A key prediction is that real-life threats should increase the frequency and severity of threatening dreams. Analyzing dream reports from severely traumatized Kurdish children, less traumatized Kurdish children, and non-traumatized Finnish children supported most TST predictions. Severely traumatized children reported significantly more dreams, a higher number of threatening dream events, and threats that were more severe in nature compared to less traumatized or non-traumatized children.