Cinema of the mind
Jim Horne
April 13, 2006 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780192807311.003.0016 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that while REM sleep is associated with intense, visual mental activity, non-REM sleep typically involves more tranquil thoughts, though dreaming can occur there too. Also highlights hypnagogic and hypnopompic imagery as distinct visual states experienced by some individuals around sleep. |
Abstract
Abstract Whereas the mental activity of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is intense, visual, and florid, more tranquil thoughts and imagery do occur during the rest of sleep, which sleep researchers refer to as ‘thinking’ or ‘mentation’. Sometimes, however, what appears to be real dreaming can be found in non-REM sleep. Other interesting visual states exist in and around sleep for some people, who have the ability to conjure up visual scenes during drowsiness and light sleep. This reverie is called ‘hypnagogic’ imagery when it occurs around sleep onset and ‘hypnopompic’ imagery during morning awakening.