Dreaming and waking: Phenomenological and biological differences
heiDOK (Heidelberg University) 2010 DOI: 10.11588/ijodr.2010.1.585 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key points | Argues that the AIM model is useful for describing neurobiological differences between states of consciousness, but that more research is needed to link specific subjective features of dreams to brain activation patterns. Proposes that lucid dreaming phenomenologically resembles dreaming and meditation more than waking, and calls for content analytic studies of dreams to identify regular higher-order consciousness processes. |
Abstract
Varying research perspectives of the conceptual distinction between physiology and subjective experience, and the outside vs. inside perspective on dreaming will be discussed. Whereas the AIM model is helpful in describing the neurobiological differences between states of consciousness, research is needed to test whether specific features of the subjective experience like bizarreness or awareness of the current state of consciousness is related to distinct brain activation patterns. On a phenomenological level, lucid dreaming has more parallels to dreaming and meditation than to the normal waking state. Regarding the conceptualization of dreaming, it seems necessary to conduct sophisticated content analytic studies of normal and lucid dreams to determine what kind of higher-ordered consciousness processes occur regularly within dreams.