Key Concepts in Dream Research: Cognition and Consciousness Are Inherently Linked, but Do No Not Control “Control”!
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience July 17, 2020 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00259 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractLucid dreaming (LD) is often misunderstood by the public as the ability to control dream content and plot, but it is actually defined simply as being aware that one is dreaming while dreaming. This commentary explains and corrects that misconception and proposes definitions for key concepts in lucid and non-lucid dreaming related to control, cognition, and consciousness. Although these concepts may appear to overlap, they are underpinned by independent processes and experiences.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Hum Dream Cognition Key lock Consciousness |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key finding | Argues that the public misconception of lucid dreaming as controlling dream content reflects widely-held beliefs, and that control, cognition, and consciousness in dreaming are independent processes. |
Abstract
Whilst lucid dreaming (LD) is defined as being aware of dreaming whilst dreaming, a misconception exists in the public domain as a referral to controlling dream content and plot (Neuhäusler et al., 2018). This misconception reflects a number of widely-held beliefs about the nature of dreaming, which in part this commentary will seek to explain and rectify. Furthermore, the aim of this piece is to suggest definitions of key concepts in the study of lucid and non-lucid dreaming concerning control, cognition, and consciousness. Whilst superficially there seems overlap between each of these, independent processes, and associated experiences underpin them.