the problem solving view of dreams

Dreams as Tools: How Dreaming Enhances Problem-Solving Skills

• By Daria Burnett
• June 16, 2023

The Mystic Realm of Dreams

Welcome to the mystic realm of dreams, where the subconscious mind weaves extraordinary tales and unveils hidden truths.

Dreams have long captivated the human imagination, with their enigmatic nature and profound significance.

In this section, we will explore the intriguing connection between dreams and problem-solving , shedding light on the power of dreams to enhance our problem-solving skills.

Introduction to Dreams and Their Significance

Dreams are a window into the depths of our unconscious mind, providing a rich tapestry of images, emotions, and experiences that unfold while we sleep.

They can take us on fantastical journeys, allow us to confront our fears, or present us with symbols and metaphors that hold profound meaning in our waking life.

Throughout history, dreams have been revered for their spiritual, psychological, and cultural significance.

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They have been interpreted as divine messages, sources of inspiration, and gateways to the subconscious.

In various cultures, dream interpretation has played a vital role in understanding one’s fate, seeking guidance, and exploring the depths of the human psyche.

The Intriguing Connection Between Dreams and Problem-Solving

Beyond their mystical allure, dreams have a practical side.

They possess the remarkable ability to enhance our problem-solving skills.

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• Unleashing the Potential: Unraveling the Benefits of Lucid Dreaming

While we sleep, our brains continue to process information and make connections, contributing to creative insights and innovative problem-solving.

Research suggests that dreaming facilitates the integration of new information with existing knowledge, allowing us to form novel connections and perspectives.

Dreams can provide a fresh lens through which we can view our challenges, offering alternative solutions and sparking innovative ideas.

They can help us unravel complex problems, overcome obstacles, and tap into our creative potential.

By exploring the intricate relationship between dreams and problem-solving, we can unlock the potential held within our nocturnal journeys.

In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the mechanisms through which dreams enhance problem-solving skills and the role of dreaming in creativity and insight.

Dreams hold endless possibilities, waiting to be unraveled and harnessed for personal growth and self-discovery.

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Let us embark on this fascinating exploration of the power of dreams in expanding our problem-solving horizons.

The Problem-Solving Power of Dreams

Dreams possess a remarkable ability to enhance problem-solving skills and provide valuable insights.

Through the enigmatic realm of dreams, our minds delve into unique and imaginative landscapes, offering a fresh perspective on the challenges we face.

In this section, we will explore how dreams can boost problem-solving abilities and the role they play in fostering creativity and insight.

How Dreams Enhance Problem-Solving Skills

Dreams have the extraordinary ability to tap into the depths of our unconscious mind, where thoughts and emotions intertwine in intricate ways.

During sleep, the brain processes and consolidates information gathered throughout the day, allowing for problem-solving to occur at a subconscious level.

Research suggests that dreams can facilitate problem-solving through a phenomenon known as dream incorporation .

This process involves integrating waking-life experiences and emotions into dream scenarios, enabling the exploration and resolution of unresolved issues.

By immersing yourself in the world of dreams, you can access alternative perspectives and solutions that may elude you in your waking hours.

To harness the problem-solving power of dreams, it can be helpful to keep a dream journal .

By recording your dreams upon waking, you capture the vivid imagery and emotions experienced during sleep, which can later be analyzed and reflected upon.

This practice not only enhances dream recall but also allows you to identify recurring themes and patterns that may hold valuable insights.

Check out our article on dream journaling tips for guidance on how to get started.

The Role of Dreaming in Creativity and Insight

Dreams not only aid in problem-solving but also serve as fertile ground for creativity and insight .

During sleep, the brain engages in a process called synaptic pruning , where unnecessary connections are eliminated, allowing for the consolidation of relevant information.

This pruning process promotes the formation of new associations, leading to innovative ideas and solutions.

Moreover, dreams can offer a rich source of inspiration for creative endeavors.

Artists, writers, and musicians often draw upon the surreal and symbolic imagery of their dreams to fuel their creative works.

By embracing the mysterious and symbolic language of dreams, you can tap into your own wellspring of creativity and gain fresh perspectives on various aspects of your life.

Dreams also provide a unique opportunity for self-reflection and introspection.

The symbolic narratives and emotions experienced during sleep can shed light on unconscious desires, fears, and unresolved conflicts.

Exploring these insights can lead to personal growth and self-discovery.

By incorporating dream analysis into your problem-solving strategies, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and develop a more holistic approach to life’s challenges.

In conclusion, dreams possess a profound problem-solving power that can unlock new solutions and perspectives.

By embracing the world of dreams and utilizing techniques such as dream journaling and reflection, you can tap into this innate capacity for problem-solving and foster creativity and insight.

Allow your dreams to guide you on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, as you unravel the enigmatic threads that connect your waking and dreaming worlds.

Unleashing the Potential of Dreaming

To fully harness the power of dreaming and its impact on problem-solving, there are techniques you can explore. Lucid dreaming and keeping a dream journal are two effective methods that can enhance your dream experience and provide valuable insights.

Lucid Dreaming: Taking Control of Your Dreams

Lucid dreaming is a state in which you become aware that you are dreaming while still in the dream itself.

This awareness gives you the ability to take control and actively participate in your dreams.

Lucid dreaming opens up a world of possibilities for problem-solving, as you can consciously direct the course of events within your dream.

To start practicing lucid dreaming, there are various techniques you can try.

Reality testing is a common method where you regularly question whether you are dreaming or awake throughout the day.

Eventually, this habit will carry over into your dreams, and you may find yourself becoming aware of the dream state.

Another technique is keeping a dream journal, which we will explore in the next section.

By recording your dreams each morning, you train your mind to pay closer attention to your dream experiences.

This increased awareness can lead to more frequent lucid dreams.

For more information on lucid dreaming techniques, check out our article on tips for lucid dreaming beginners .

Keeping a Dream Journal: Harnessing the Power of Reflection

Keeping a dream journal is a valuable tool for understanding the content and patterns of your dreams.

By recording your dreams immediately upon waking, you capture the details and emotions while they are still fresh in your mind.

This practice helps you develop a stronger connection with your dreams and enables you to reflect on them later.

When maintaining a dream journal, it’s essential to jot down specific details such as the setting, people, objects, and emotions experienced in the dream.

You can also include any symbols or recurring themes that you notice.

Over time, patterns may emerge, giving you a deeper understanding of the messages your dreams are trying to convey.

Reflecting on your dream journal can provide valuable insights into your subconscious mind and help you identify connections between your dreams and waking life challenges.

You may start to notice correlations between the problems you face and the scenarios presented in your dreams.

This self-reflection can lead to new perspectives and innovative solutions.

By exploring lucid dreaming and keeping a dream journal, you can tap into the potential of your dreams for problem-solving and self-discovery.

These practices enable you to actively engage with your dreams, gain insights, and find creative solutions to real-life challenges.

Embrace the mystic realm of dreams and unlock its hidden treasures.

How Can Lucid Dreaming Improve Problem-Solving Skills?

Lucid dreaming has been linked to improved problem-solving skills.

By using proven techniques for lucid dreaming , individuals can practice and solve problems in their dreams, which can translate to real-life benefits.

This unique form of mental rehearsal enables individuals to explore creative solutions and enhance cognitive abilities.

Exploring the Science Behind Dreaming

Dreams have fascinated humanity for centuries, and scientists have delved into the realm of dreams to unravel their mysteries.

Understanding the science behind dreaming can shed light on the fascinating connection between dreams and problem-solving.

The Brain’s Role in Dreaming and Problem-Solving

Dreams originate in the brain, specifically in the sleep stage known as REM (rapid eye movement).

During REM sleep, the brain becomes highly active, and this increased activity is believed to play a crucial role in both dreaming and problem-solving.

Research suggests that dreaming is a result of the brain’s attempt to make sense of random electrical signals and memories.

These signals and memories are processed and integrated, creating the vivid experiences we perceive as dreams.

While the exact mechanisms of dreaming are still not fully understood, various brain regions are involved in different aspects of dreaming, including the formation of memories, emotional processing, and problem-solving.

Theories and Research on Dreaming and its Benefits

Numerous theories have been proposed to explain the purpose and benefits of dreaming.

One prominent theory is the problem-solving theory .

According to this theory, dreams provide a platform for the brain to work through complex problems and find creative solutions.

Studies have shown that during sleep and dreaming, the brain continues to process information and experiences from the waking world.

This ongoing cognitive processing can lead to new insights, novel connections, and enhanced problem-solving abilities upon waking up.

Dreams can offer a fresh perspective on challenges, allowing individuals to approach problems from different angles and uncover innovative solutions.

Furthermore, research has demonstrated that dreaming can enhance creativity and insight .

Dreams often incorporate unusual and imaginative elements, which can inspire creative thinking.

Artists, writers, and scientists throughout history have drawn inspiration from their dreams, using them as a source of innovation and originality.

By exploring the science behind dreaming, we gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity of the dreaming process and its potential impact on problem-solving.

The brain’s involvement in dreaming and the theories surrounding its benefits highlight the intriguing nature of dreams and their potential to enhance our waking lives.

To explore more about the interpretation of dreams and the various types of dreams, visit our articles on interpretation of dreams and types of dreams .

How Does Dreaming Enhance Problem-Solving Skills and What is the Brain’s Role in This Process?

Dreaming creates a unique connection between the brain and problem-solving skills.

During REM sleep, the brain is highly active, consolidating memories and exploring creative solutions to complex problems.

This neural activity during dreaming enhances cognitive flexibility and helps in finding innovative solutions to challenging issues.

Applying Dreaming to Everyday Life

Dreams have the potential to not only entertain and intrigue us but also serve as valuable tools for problem-solving and personal growth.

By exploring the messages and insights within our dreams, we can tap into a wellspring of wisdom and use it to navigate the challenges we face in our waking life.

Using Dreams to Solve Personal Challenges

Dreams can provide unique perspectives and solutions to personal challenges that may elude us in our conscious state.

When you encounter a particularly vexing problem or decision, paying attention to your dreams can offer valuable insights.

Start by keeping a dream journal.

Place it by your bedside and make it a habit to write down your dreams as soon as you wake up.

This practice helps in capturing the details and emotions of your dreams before they fade from memory.

By recording your dreams consistently, you can begin to identify recurring themes, symbols, and patterns that may hold significance in your life.

Check out our article on dream journaling tips for guidance on how to make the most of this practice.

Once you have a collection of dreams, take time to reflect on their possible meanings.

Consider the emotions, symbols, and events within your dreams and how they might relate to the challenges you are facing.

While dream interpretation is highly personal, it can be helpful to consult resources such as a dream interpretation dictionary to gain additional insights.

Remember that dreams are not always straightforward and may require some introspection to uncover their relevance to your personal challenges.

Allow your intuition to guide you as you explore the messages within your dreams, as they can often provide unique perspectives and creative solutions.

Incorporating Dream Work into Problem-Solving Strategies

In addition to using dreams as a source of personal insight, you can actively incorporate dream work into your problem-solving strategies.

This involves setting an intention before sleep to receive guidance or clarity on a specific problem or decision.

Before going to bed, take a few moments to focus on the issue at hand.

By directing your attention towards the problem, you prime your mind to seek solutions during your dream state.

As you sleep, your subconscious mind can process information, make connections, and present you with new perspectives.

Upon waking, take note of any dreams or fragments that may relate to your problem or decision.

Even if the dream seems unrelated at first glance, it can still contain valuable insights that your conscious mind may have overlooked.

Reflect on the dream and consider how its elements might be applied to your current situation.

Remember that dreams offer a symbolic language, and interpreting them requires an open and curious mindset.

Engaging in activities such as dream analysis therapy or discussing your dreams with a trusted friend or therapist can provide further guidance and support in understanding their significance.

By using dreams as a resource for personal growth and problem-solving, you can tap into the profound wisdom of your subconscious mind.

Incorporate dream work into your everyday life and embrace the transformative power of your dreams.

Problem-solving in dreams (famous examples)

In dreams, while our conscious mind is inactive, our subconscious mind is actively working on problems that we may have failed to solve consciously in our waking life. That’s why it’s highly likely that a solution to a problem that you’ve been working on for quite a while can pop up in your dream.

This is similar to when, for example, you are thinking hard about a problem and then you let go of it because you can’t come up with a solution. And then after a while, when you’re involved in some other unrelated activity, the solution to your problem suddenly pops up from nowhere. You say you had an insight .

This happens because as soon as you let go of the problem consciously, your subconscious mind is still working on solving it behind the scenes.

Once it solves the problem, it gets ready to launch the solution into your consciousness as soon as it comes across a trigger that’s in some way similar to the solution- an image, a situation, a word, etc.

Examples of some famous solutions found in dreams

Dreams not only help you understand your own psychological makeup but also solve your complex daily life problems for you. If you aren’t maintaining a dream journal yet, the following anecdotes will surely motivate you to record your dreams…

Structure of benzene

August Kekule had been trying to figure out how atoms in the benzene molecule arranged themselves but couldn’t come up with a plausible explanation. One night he dreamed of dancing atoms that gradually arranged themselves in the form of a snake.

The snake then turned around and swallowed its own tail, forming a ring-like shape. This figure then kept dancing in front of him.

Upon waking up Kekule realized that the dream was telling him that benzene molecules were made of rings of carbon atoms.

The problem of the shape of the benzene molecule was solved and a new field called aromatic chemistry came into existence that significantly advanced the understanding of chemical bonding.

Transmission of nerve impulses

Otto Loewi believed that nerve impulses were transmitted chemically but he had no way to demonstrate it. For years he searched for ways to prove his theory experimentally.

One night he dreamed of an experimental design that he could possibly use to prove his theory. He carried out the experiments, published his work and finally confirmed his theory. He later won a Nobel prize in medicine and is widely regarded as the ‘father of neuroscience’.

Mendeleev’s periodic table

Mendeleev wrote names of the different elements along with their properties on cards that he laid out in front of him on his table. He arranged and re-arranged the cards on the table trying to figure out a pattern.

Exhausted, he fell asleep and in his dream he saw the elements getting arranged in a logical pattern according to their atomic weights. Thus the periodic table was born.

The golf swing

Jack Nicklaus was a golf player who hadn’t been doing well lately. One night he dreamed that he was playing very well and noticed that his grip on the golf club was different than what he actually used in the real world. He tried the grip that he’d seen in the dream and it worked. His golfing skills greatly improved.

The sewing machine

This is the anecdote that I found most fascinating. Elias Howe, the inventor of the modern sewing machine, faced a great dilemma while making the machine. He didn’t know where to provide an eye to his sewing machine needle. He couldn’t provide it at the tail, as is usually done in hand-held needles.

One night, after he had spent days figuring out a solution, he saw a dream in which he had been assigned the task of making a sewing machine by a king. The king gave him 24 hours to make it or else he would be executed. He struggled with the same problem of the needle eye in the dream. Then the time of execution arrived.

While he was being carried by the guards for execution, he noticed their spears were pierced at the tips. He had found the answer! He should provide the eye to his sewing machine needle at its pointed tip! He begged for more time and whilst begging he woke up. He rushed to the machine that he had been working on and solved his problem.

Dreams and creativity

Dreams can not only provide us with solutions to problems but also give us creative insights.

Stephen King’s plot for his famous novel  Misery  was inspired by a dream, so was Stephanie Meyer’s  Twilight . Mary Shelly, the creator of the Frankenstein monster, had actually seen the character in a dream.

The Terminator, created by James Cameron, was also inspired by a dream. Paul McCartney of The Beatles one day ‘woke up with a tune in his head’ and the song ‘Yesterday’ now has the Guinness world record for the greatest number of covers.

Hi, I’m Hanan Parvez (MA Psychology). I’ve been writing about Psychology for 9+ years. My work has been featured in Forbes , Business Insider , Reader’s Digest , and Entrepreneur . If you have any queries, use the contact form or reach out to me on my socials.

Why We Dream: Real Reasons Revealed

BOSTON – The slumbering mind might not seem like an apt tool for any critical thinking, but humans can actually solve problems while asleep, researchers say. Not only that, but one purpose for dreaming itself may be to help us find solutions to puzzles that plague us during waking hours.

Dreams are highly visual and often illogical in nature, which makes them ripe for the type of "out-of-the-box" thinking that some problem-solving requires, said Deirdre Barrett, a psychologist at Harvard University.

Barrett's theory on dreaming , which she discussed at the Association for Psychological Science meeting here last month, boils down to this: Dreaming is really just thinking, but in a slightly different state from when our eyes are open. [Why we dream is just one mystery of the mind.]

"Whatever the state we're put in, we're still working on the same problems," Barrett said. Although dreams might have initially evolved for a different purpose, they likely have been refined over time so they can serve double-duty: help the brain reboot itself and problem-solve.

Dreams and evolution

A theory to explain dreams, or any human behavior for that matter, needs to take into account evolution, Barrett said. But many early theories of dreaming either didn't address evolution at all, or downright contradicted it, she said.

For instance, Sigmund Freud proposed dreams exist to fulfill our wishes. But such gratification in an imaginary world would do little to help us adapt our instincts to the physical world, which is one key point of evolution, Barrett said.

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Others have proposed dreams are more of a side effect of the sleep cycle. Dreams usually occur during Rapid Eye Movement, or REM, sleep. This stage is thought to serve several functions: to rest a part of the brain (since some areas are active while others aren't) and to replenish brain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters.

This has led some to say that dreams happen simply because REM sleep happens, Barrett said. The psychologist Steven Pinker once likened dreams to computer screen savers, saying that it perhaps "doesn't really matter what the content is as long as certain parts of the brain are active."

However, Barrett disagrees. "My opinion is that, evolution just isn't wasteful, that when things evolve for one purpose, that generally they don't continue throughout time to have only that purpose, but anything else that may be useful about them gets refined," she said in a telephone interview with LiveScience prior to the convention.

She also noted that REM sleep has been around for quite some time, since mammals evolved some 220 million years ago. "The longer something has existed during evolutionary history, the likelier it is to have other functions overlaid on it," she said at the convention.

Problem-solving

Barrett has studied problem-solving in dreams for more than 10 years, and documented many examples of the phenomenon.

In one experiment, Barrett had college students pick a homework problem to try to solve in a dream. The problems weren't rocket science; they were fairly easy questions that the student simply hadn't gotten around to solving yet. Students focused on the problem each night before they went to bed. At the end of a week, about half the students had dreamed about the problem and about a quarter had a dream that contained the answer, Barrett said.

So at least in the cases where problems are relatively easy, some people can solve them in their sleep.

Barrett has also extensively reviewed scientific and historical literature, looking for examples of problems solved in dreams.

She found examples of almost every type of problem being solved in a dream, from the mathematical to the artistic. But many were related to problems that required individuals to visualize something in his or her mind, such as an inventor picturing a new device.

The other major category of problems solved in dreams included "ones where the conventional wisdom is just wrong about how to approach the problem," Barrett said.

Dreams might have evolved to be particularly good at allowing us to work out puzzles that fall into those two categories, she said.

"I think that dreams and REM sleep have probably further evolved to be useful for really as many of the things that our thinking is useful for," Barrett said. "It's just extra thinking time, so potentially any problem can get solved during it, but it's thinking time in the state that's very visual and looser in associations, so we've evolved to use it especially to work on those kinds of problems."

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Rachael is a Live Science contributor, and was a former channel editor and senior writer for Live Science between 2010 and 2022. She has a master's degree in journalism from New York University's Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program. She also holds a B.S. in molecular biology and an M.S. in biology from the University of California, San Diego. Her work has appeared in Scienceline, The Washington Post and Scientific American.

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Dream Studies Portal

Dream research, lucid dreaming, and consciousness studies

Calvin Hall and the Cognitive Theory of Dreaming

By Ryan Hurd

Any survey of modern dream research must include Calvin Hall (1909-1985).  Hall was a behavioral psychologist who explored the cognitive dimensions of dreaming.  His work began before the discovery of REM sleep, so little was known about the biology of sleep and dreams.  Hall drew worldwide attention for his cognitive theory of dreaming , which was among the first scientific theories of dream interpretation based on quantitative analysis… rather than wishful thinking.

Dreams Images are the Embodiment of Thought

Central to Hall’s cognitive theory is that dreams are thoughts displayed in the mind’s private theater as visual concepts. Like Jung, Hall dismissed the Freudian notion that dreams are trying to cover something up.  In his classic work The Meaning of Dreams (1966), Hall writes, “The images of a dream are the concrete embodiments of the dreamer’s thoughts; these images give visual expression to that which is invisible, namely, conceptions.” (p. 95).

So dreams reveal the structure of how we envision our lives, a display that is clearly valuable for anyone who remembers and studies their own dreams.

The Way We See the World

After studying thousands of dreams collected from his students and from around the world, Hall suggested that the main cognitive structures that dreams reveal include:

• conceptions of self (how we appear to ourselves, the roles we play in life)
• conceptions of others (the people in our lives and how we react to their needs 
• conceptions of the world (our environment: is it a barren wasteland or a nurturing place?)
• conceptions of penalties (how we view the Man.  What is allowed? What is forbidden?)
• conceptions of conflict (our inner discord and how we struggle with resolving it).

As a behavioral psychologist, Hall believed these conceptions are antecedents to our behavior in the waking world.  They’re like maps to our actions, and “with these maps we are able to follow the course of man’s behavior, to understand why he selects one road rather than another, to anticipate the difficulties and obstacles he will encounter, and to predict his destinations.” (as qtd in Van De Castle, p. 190)

Content Analysis: the Hall-Van de Castle Scale

Hall’s work is still widely cited today, but his greatest legacy is the system of dream content analysis he developed with psychologist Robert Van De Castle in the 1960s.

Known as the Hall Van De Castle scale, this quantitative system scores a dream report with 16 empirical scales.  Some scales are settings, objects, people, animals, and mythological creatures.  You know, the sort of things you see walking down the street on any given day.  (If you haven’t seen any chimeras or griffins recently, then you’re working too much). Other scales include emotions, sexual content, aggression, etc. .

The value of the project is that there are now hundreds of thousands of dreams measured using the HVdC system, creating a “baseline” for normal dreaming cognition.  So researchers can add dreams from special interest groups (children, Vietnam vets, Armenian students) to measure their profiles against the norm. (see Figure 1 for an example of the possibilities)

This innovation is a huge milestone in the scientific study of dreams.  Now researchers can easily get a snapshot of dreaming cognition that is measurable, quantitative, and statistically significant. Besides psychologists, this scale is still used widely today by sociologists and anthropologists.

And thanks to Hall’s student Bill Domhoff, now a powerful dream research figure in his own right, much of Hall and Van De Castle’s database is available online .

Dream content has coherent meaning—that is the main message behind Hall’s work with dreams.  This view later came under fire by the controversial work of neuroscientist Allan Hobson , who implied that dreams may be nothing more than images stitched together from random brain pulses.   This rift may be the central conflict in dream studies today.

Reader Interactions

December 4, 2009 at 10:16 pm

Thanks for the thorough presentation of Hall’s theory, Ryan. I’ve never encountered his name before. I’m a little bit perplexed though as to why a behavioral psychologist, like Hall, got involved in psychoanalytic research. I guess there’s not much difference between the two fields at that time. Anyway, I think his system of content analysis is indeed useful in providing quantitative data for the investigation of dreams knowing that the latter is filled with abstractions and that subjects who report their dreams may find it difficult to remove subjective interpretations while trying to recall dreams from memory.

December 6, 2009 at 8:53 pm

Ryhen, you’re right about the issues with dream recall and after-the-fact revision… that is actually one of the central criticisms of Hall and Van de Castle’s system.

That’s why it’s important to understand that dream researchers don’t study dreams per say… we study dream reports. a dream is actually a memory, and memory is highly unpredictable. the critique isn’t devastating to the enterprise of dream studies, but certainly a dangerous pothole along the path.

December 8, 2009 at 4:00 pm

The story, as I heard it from Bill Domhoff, was that Hall was originally trained as a behaviorist in the 30’s and 40’s, the heyday of that psychological system. He focused on the study of anxiety in lab rats, which he measured by giving them mild electric shocks and then counting the resulting number of feces (which are apparently an accurate index of a rat’s level of fear). I don’t know why Hall shifted toward psychoanalysis and cognitive psychology, but I find it strangely appropriate that his approach to dream content analysis has its roots in counting rat turds.

December 8, 2009 at 5:48 pm

Kelly, thanks for coming by and also for the behaviorist scoop on Hall!

December 12, 2009 at 6:54 am

Great overview of an important perspective on dreamwork. I’m very opposed to a purely materialistic “random neural firings” hypothesis about dreams.

January 31, 2010 at 11:15 pm

Some nits for you Calvin Hall’s name does not have Jr. in the title Our Dreaming Mind was published in 1994 not 93 Domhoff’s book on Finding Meaning etc was published in 1996, not 97

February 1, 2010 at 1:07 pm

thanks, Bob, for stopping by! I’ll pick those nits.

February 9, 2010 at 10:30 am

Thanks for your overview on the cognitive theory of dreams. I’m writting a research paper on dreams where I’m looking at this theory and Freud’s theory and my argument is that the cognitive theory provides the most clarity in understanding our dreams. I was wondering if you know of any study a psychologist has conducted where he has concluded that a particular dream supports the cognitive dream theory,

I have looked into Domhoff’s dreambank.net website, and found one study that I think I may be able to use in my paper;however, I was just curious to see whether you’ve come across any such study

Thank you so much for your updates on your blog, I’d appreciate a response as soon as you can

Thanks! Tina

April 16, 2010 at 10:41 am

hi Tania am not sure how late this feedback but ..try looking into Deirdre Barrett work she has numerous books and articles on that part she is the chief editor of Dreaming Journal hope this helps. Star

April 16, 2010 at 10:52 am

thanks Star — and sorry Tina — another comment that got by my radar. in general the studies that support cognitive theory are by the researchers who use cognitive theory. same goes for Freudian theory, Jungian theory, etc. There is no final authority on the meaning of dreams when it comes down to individual dreams. in my opinion — and many dream workers — the final authority is YOU. what feels right? what can you learn? studying dreaming like all cognitive artifacts is a study in meaning-making, and nobody can tell you what something means, they can only lead the way…

March 1, 2017

12 min read

Answers in Your Dreams

When you dream, you enter an alternative state of consciousness—a time when true inspiration can strike

By Deirdre Barrett

Aaron Goodman

As a young mathematician in the 1950s, Don Newman taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology alongside rising star and Nobel-laureate-to-be John Nash. Newman had been struggling to solve a particular math problem: “I was ... trying to get somewhere with it, and I couldn't and I couldn't and I couldn't,” he recalled.

One night Newman dreamed that he was reflecting on the problem when Nash appeared. The sleeping Newman related the details of the conundrum to Nash and asked if he knew the solution. Nash explained how to solve it. Newman awoke realizing he had the answer! He spent the next several weeks turning the insight into a formal paper, which was then published in a mathematics journal.

Newman is hardly alone in making a practical breakthrough during a night of sleep. While dreaming, Friedrich August Kekulé came up with the structure of benzene, Dmitry Mendeleev conjured up his final form of the periodic table of the elements and Otto Loewi thought of the neuroscience experiment that won him a Nobel Prize in medicine.

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Modern engineers Paul Horowitz and Alan Huang dreamed designs for laser-telescope controls and laser computing, respectively. Innumerable artists and filmmakers have depicted images that came to them in their sleep. Mary Shelley dreamed the two main scenes that became Frankenstein , and Robert Louis Stevenson did the same with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde . Ludwig van Beethoven, Paul McCartney and Billy Joel all awoke to discover new tunes ringing in their minds. Mahatma Gandhi's call for a nonviolent protest of British rule of India was inspired by a dream.

Yet dreams so often seem incoherent, bizarre or even trivial. We search intensely for our brother in an endless maze of corridors because we must give him a yellow package. But when we find him, we have forgotten the package—which we are certainly not holding any longer—and anyway he is now a neighbor, not a brother. Other dreams are ephemeral—we wake up thinking about a yellow box, but that is all we recall.

For decades scientists have puzzled over how dreams could display such diverse characteristics. Research is now suggesting that dreams are simply thought in a different biochemical state. The physiological demands of sleep alter the way the brain functions. Dreams may seem bizarre or nonsensical because the chemistry of the sleeping brain affects how we perceive our own thoughts, but we nonetheless continue focusing on all the same issues that concern us while we are awake. This unusual state of consciousness is often a blessing for problem solving—it helps us find solutions outside our normal patterns of thought. By following a few simple steps, we can even harness this power, encouraging our sleeping brain to ruminate on particular concerns.

Anatomy of a Dream

One often hears the question, “What is dreaming for?” You would never pose such a simplistic query about waking thought. It is for everything .

Nevertheless, theorists have long offered one-function explanations for dreaming. Sigmund Freud believed that dreams primarily express repressed wishes, namely infantile sexual and aggressive impulses. Other psychoanalysts thought dreams had more to do with narcissistic strivings or compensation for feelings of inferiority. More recently, psychologists have posited that dreams simulate threats or help to consolidate memories. All these theories characterize some dreams, but none of them can account for every type. Just as waking thought can drift between reminiscing, planning, rumination, and so on, dream cognition seems to encompass many modes of thought.

Most early theorists assumed that the dreams we remembered constituted all dreams. Several hypotheses supposed that people experienced dreams when some specific situation triggered a set of distinctive feelings—the desire for sex, say, or a bruised ego. In the 1950s, however, a series of groundbreaking studies by Eugene Aserinsky and Nathaniel Klietman, both then at the University of Chicago, revealed that people have many more dreams than they are likely to remember. The two sleep researchers discovered that human slumber consists of approximately 90-minute cycles, each one containing a period of rapid eye movement (REM) and heightened brain activity—about as much activity as when we are awake. When the scientists awakened people near the end of each REM period, the sleepers recounted an average of almost five dreams per night. The discrepancy between the subjects' reports when awakened right after the REM period, as opposed to later, led the scientists to conclude that dreams almost always accompany this stage of sleep even if none are recalled by the morning.

Revolutionary ideas and works of art may grow from a dream: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein , Dmitry Mendeleev's layout of the periodic table, Friedrich August Kekulé's discovery of benzene's structure, and architect Solange Fabião's concept for the City of the Ocean museum in Biarritz, France. Credit: Getty Images ( Frankenstein's monster ); Mark J. Winter Science Source ( benzene ); Christopher Cooper Getty Images ( periodic table ); © Paul Raftery age fotostock ( building )

Within the past two decades positron-emission tomography (PET) scans have allowed us to see which brain areas are involved in dreaming. Parts of the cortex associated with visual imagery and the perception of movement become activated even more dramatically than when we are awake, as do some deep brain areas associated with emotion. In contrast, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is less engaged during dreaming; this area is associated with volitional action and the evaluation of what is logical and socially appropriate. These PET results fit the characteristics of dreams well; dream reports almost always contain visual imagery and often involve movement. The prefrontal findings fit neatly with the fact that dreams have long been associated with less “censorship”—not only in the Freudian sense of uninhibited sex and aggression but also in terms of our filtering out scenarios that are illogical or abnormal. We will return to this point when discussing methods of problem solving. Sometimes tackling a puzzle the “wrong” way can lead to surprising insights.

Evolutionary psychologists were quick to point out that this PET portrait of the dreaming brain makes sense because such activity would have supported human survival—certain areas of the brain are safer to turn on and off during sleep than others. Donald Symons, an anthropologist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, argued in his 1993 paper “The Stuff That Dreams Aren't Made Of” that sleepers must monitor the environment with specific senses—to smell smoke, hear intruders, sense temperature changes and feel pain. Hallucinating vividly in those sensory modes might lead us to wake up frequently in an unnecessary panic, or, even worse, over a long period we might evolve a threshold of tolerance that would cause us to block our real warnings. Our eyes can be closed, however, because we do not need to monitor our visual environment during sleep. And our body can be paralyzed, as is normal during REM sleep, because we do not need to move—in fact, we should not move until we awaken.

Evolution, then, may help elucidate why certain brain areas are more or less active when we sleep. The pattern of activity explains why dreams have the characteristics they do—visually rich and logically loose. At first, these exciting physiological findings gave rise to a proliferation of theories that dreams were just an epiphenomenon, or side effect, of the brain patterns during slumber. Sleep researchers often referred to REM activity as “random,” although no evidence suggested it was any more random than waking brain activity. Many theorists leaped to pronounce dreams “explained.”

I reiterate: we would never dismiss waking thought so quickly. Knowing that our prefrontal cortex is active when we encounter a social prohibition does not explain away the subjective debate we experience when deciding how to respond. Likewise, describing a dream's content or its associated brain activity does not answer the question of its purpose. Brain researchers finally grasped this fact after a two-decade lull and in the past several years have begun studying dreams seriously again.

Sleep on It

By the 1990s a growing body of research suggested that slumber is important for consolidating new learning: even very early studies had shown that sleeping for a while after learning something new results in much better recall than after spending the same amount of time awake. More recent findings hint at a special role for REM sleep in memory consolidation. Studies of rats learning to navigate mazes have found that during REM sleep, brain activity mimics that of the awake rodent training in the maze, which suggests that circuits may be reinforced during REM sleep. In humans, too, research supports the role of REM sleep in memory. The more REM sleep subjects get after learning, the better they recall emotionally charged material.

In 2009 psychologists at the University of California, San Diego, examined whether REM facilitated more than just memory when learning. They gave their subjects a test that required creative problem solving and then dropped hints about the answers. The subjects then spent some time either awake, in non-REM sleep only or in REM sleep before taking the test again. The REM sleep group showed the most improvement on their creative solutions to the previously presented problems.

The same year in Robert Stickgold's lab at Harvard University, a team led by then postdoctoral researcher Ina Djonlagic had subjects learn a complicated system of weather prediction. The students were shown a combination of images, each representing a probability of sun or rain. The students did not know the meaning of the images, but they attempted to figure them out through trial and error by predicting an overall chance of sun or rain and getting feedback on their answers. The researchers found that subjects who nodded off before doing the task again were more likely to discover the general rule behind the images' meaning through an “aha!” type of insight than those who stayed awake. In addition, their heightened performance, as well as their ability to explicitly articulate that they had grasped the general rule, was correlated with the amount of REM sleep they had gotten.

Further research confirms that REM sleep aids in problem solving. In a series of studies in the same Harvard lab, Erin J. Wamsley, also then a postdoctoral researcher, asked subjects to navigate a virtual maze. After some practice, they got either a waking break, REM sleep or a non-REM sleep period. As Wamsley reported at the 2011 SLEEP conference, only REM sleep sharpens participants' performance. In addition, when she woke or interrupted them to ask what they are thinking or dreaming, the theme was often the maze—but only when this thinking occurs in REM sleep did subjects fare better the next time they tackle the real maze.

Because REM sleep is the stage during which dreams occur, these sleep studies imply that dreaming might have something to do with creative problem solving. Mounting experimental evidence, as well as countless anecdotes of solutions that popped up during dreams, supports this idea.

The first study on dreams and objective problem solving was conducted more than a century ago. In 1892 Charles M. Child of Wesleyan University asked 186 college students whether they had ever addressed a problem in a dream. One third said they had. The students reported playing a chess game, solving an algebra problem, detecting a bookkeeping error and translating a passage from Virgil while slumbering.

The next major breakthrough came when researchers decided to try seeding people's dreams with a specific problem. In 1972 sleep researcher William Dement of Stanford University asked 500 of his students to spend 15 minutes a night trying to solve brainteasers, making sure that they fell asleep with an unsolved problem on their mind. Students reported having 87 dreams, seven of which solved a brainteaser.

Dreams occur in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, during which the brain is just as active as when we are awake. Here positron-emission tomography scans show the brain during REM sleep ( left ) and while awake ( right ). Activity is indicated by the color spectrum, with red indicating the most active areas and blue the least. Credit: Hank Morgan Science Source

Most of my subjects chose problems that appeared simpler than Dement's brainteasers. Half of them had dreams they felt touched on their concern, and one third dreamed a solution to it. Judges rated only slightly fewer dreams as tackling or solving problems. Although a number of the problems had to do with homework or mundane tasks such as rearranging furniture, some of the most interesting solutions came up in dreams about major life decisions. For instance, this dilemma was rated as solved by both the dreamer and the judges:

Problem : I have applied to two programs in clinical psychology and two in industrial psychology because I can't decide which field I want to go into.

Dream : There's a map of the U.S., and I'm in a plane flying over this map. The pilot says we're having engine trouble and need to land. We look for a safe place on the map, indicated by a light. I ask about Massachusetts, which we're right over, but he says that all of Massachusetts is very dangerous. The lights seemed to be farther west.

Solution : I woke up and realized that my two clinical schools are both in Massachusetts, where I have spent my entire life and where my parents live. Both industrial programs are far away, in Texas and California. This is because originally I was looking to stay close to home, and there were no good industrial programs nearby. I realized that there is a lot wrong with staying at home, and funny as it sounds, getting away is probably more important than which kind of program I go into.

A Portal to Creativity

The all-time most famous dream example—Kekulé realizing that the structure of benzene was a closed ring after dreaming of a snake made of atoms taking its tail in its mouth—illustrates the two distinctive features of problem solving in dreams. Recall that the brain areas that usually restrict our thinking to the logical and familiar are much less active during REM sleep. Many studies of creativity suggest that such disinhibition is a crucial component of creative thought. [For more on how cognitive disinhibition allows new ideas to surface, see “ The Unleashed Mind ,” by Shelley Carson.] Similarly, the high activity in the visual areas of the sleeping brain allows it to visualize solutions more readily than in waking thought. Kekulé had been stumped because all known molecules were straight lines with side chains, and he had assumed, wrongly, that benzene would follow suit.

My research confirms that dreamed solutions tend to have unusual visual characteristics. Through the late 1990s I scoured the existing literature on dreams, combed professional biographies and history books for examples of problem-solving dreams, and queried working professionals as to whether they had ever had dreams that were useful in their jobs. Certain patterns emerged from this research. Well over half of the visual artists said they had used dreams in their work. About half of fiction writers had. The numbers dropped off rapidly as the professions became more abstract. Within the sciences, inventors, engineers and others who benefit from visualizing problems in three dimensions were likelier to report helpful dreams. Some dreamers even had multiple examples of having awakened with a solution and had developed an explicit bedtime incubation routine.

Your Dreams

Shortly after my book The Committee of Sleep was published in 2001, I heard Newman recount his story on a PBS show about John Nash and the film A Beautiful Mind . A year later I was unexpectedly seated next to Nash at a dinner party. I asked him about the incident, which he remembered well. “Don actually included a footnote thanking me in the paper,” Nash chuckled, “and he kept acting grateful, like I'd actually helped him when it was his dream.” I came across that remark often in my survey. Solutions frequently came from a dream character—one computer programmer got repeated nocturnal lessons from Albert Einstein—and people had trouble taking full credit for what their dreaming mind had done. This tendency fits brain findings for REM sleep in which the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, associated with perceptions of volition, is less active than parts of the brain associated with perceptions of visual images, movement and emotions.

But we need not wait passively for inspiration to strike. We spend almost a third of our lives asleep—and almost a third of that time dreaming. My research suggests that in a short amount of time, people can learn to focus their dreams on minor problems and often solve them. As for the bigger concerns, surveys find that all kinds of mysteries can be revealed in dreams—two Nobel Prizes resulted from dreams, after all. But even if you choose to leave your sleeping brain alone, pay attention: after nodding off, your brain in its altered state of consciousness is very likely already hard at work.

How to Train Your Dreams

Intentionally trying to dream about a particular problem, called dream incubation, increases the chance that you will come up with a solution. The term “incubation” was borrowed from ancient Greek practices at the temples of Asclepius. There the ill tried to have dreams that would tell them how to cure their malady. In Western psychology, here is how we harness our dreams:

1. Write down your problem as a brief phrase or sentence and place this note next to your bed. Also keep a pen and paper—and perhaps a flashlight—alongside it.

2. Review the problem for a few minutes before going to bed.

3. Once in bed, visualize the problem as a concrete image, if possible.

4. Tell yourself you want to dream about the problem as you drift off to sleep.

5. On awakening, lie quietly before getting out of bed. Note whether you recall any trace of a dream and try to invite more of the dream to return. Write it down.

If you want a more elaborate process, add these steps to your incubation routine:

6. At bedtime, picture yourself dreaming about the problem, awakening and writing on your bedside notepad.

7. Arrange objects connected to the problem on your night table or on the wall across from your bed.

Deirdre Barrett is a psychologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and author of the book The Committee of Sleep (paperbound, Oneiroi Press, 2010).

States of Consciousness

Dreams and Dreaming

Learning objectives.

• Describe and differentiate between theories on why we dream

The meaning of dreams varies across different cultures and periods of time. By the late 19th century, German psychiatrist Sigmund Freud had become convinced that dreams represented an opportunity to gain access to the unconscious. By analyzing dreams, Freud thought people could increase self-awareness and gain valuable insight to help them deal with the problems they faced in their lives. Freud made distinctions between the manifest content and the latent content of dreams.

Manifest content is the actual content, or storyline, of a dream. Latent content , on the other hand, refers to the hidden meaning of a dream. For instance, if a woman dreams about being chased by a snake, Freud might have argued that this represents the woman’s fear of sexual intimacy, with the snake serving as a symbol of a man’s penis.

Freud was not the only theorist to focus on the content of dreams. The 20th century Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung believed that dreams allowed us to tap into the collective unconscious . The collective unconscious, as described by Jung, is a theoretical repository of information he believed to be shared by everyone. According to Jung, certain symbols in dreams reflected universal archetypes with meanings that are similar for all people regardless of culture or location.

The sleep and dreaming researcher Rosalind Cartwright, however, believes that dreams simply reflect life events that are important to the dreamer. Unlike Freud and Jung, Cartwright’s ideas about dreaming have found empirical support. For example, she and her colleagues published a study in which women going through divorce were asked several times over a five month period to report the degree to which their former spouses were on their minds. These same women were awakened during REM sleep in order to provide a detailed account of their dream content. There was a significant positive correlation between the degree to which women thought about their former spouses during waking hours and the number of times their former spouses appeared as characters in their dreams (Cartwright, Agargun, Kirkby, & Friedman, 2006). Recent research (Horikawa, Tamaki, Miyawaki, & Kamitani, 2013) has uncovered new techniques by which researchers may effectively detect and classify the visual images that occur during dreaming by using fMRI for neural measurement of brain activity patterns, opening the way for additional research in this area.

Recently, neuroscientists have also become interested in understanding why we dream. For example, Hobson (2009) suggests that dreaming may represent a state of protoconsciousness. In other words, dreaming involves constructing a virtual reality in our heads that we might use to help us during wakefulness. Among a variety of neurobiological evidence, John Hobson cites research on lucid dreams as an opportunity to better understand dreaming in general. Lucid dreams are dreams in which certain aspects of wakefulness are maintained during a dream state. In a lucid dream, a person becomes aware of the fact that they are dreaming, and as such, they can control the dream’s content (LaBerge, 1990).

Theories on Dreaming

While the Freudian theory of dreaming may be the most well known, and Cartwright’s suggestions on dreaming the most plausible, there are several other theories about the purpose of dreaming. The threat-simulation theory suggests that dreaming should be seen as an ancient biological defense mechanism. Dreams are thought to provide an evolutionary advantage because of their capacity to repeatedly simulate potential threatening events. This process enhances the neurocognitive mechanisms required for efficient threat perception and avoidance.

The expectation-fulfillment theory  posits that dreaming serves to discharge emotional arousals (however minor) that haven’t been expressed during the day. This practice frees up space in the brain to deal with the emotional arousals of the next day and allows instinctive urges to stay intact. In effect, the expectation is fulfilled (the action is “completed”) in a metaphorical form so that a false memory is not created. This theory explains why dreams are usually forgotten immediately afterwards.

One prominent neurobiological theory of dreaming is the activation-synthesis theory , which states that dreams don’t actually mean anything. They are merely electrical brain impulses that pull random thoughts and imagery from our memories. The theory posits that humans construct dream stories after they wake up, in a natural attempt to make sense of the nonsensical. However, given the vast documentation of the realistic aspects of human dreaming, as well as indirect experimental evidence that other mammals such as cats also dream, evolutionary psychologists have theorized that dreaming does indeed serve a purpose.

The continual-activation theory proposes that dreaming is a result of brain activation and synthesis. Dreaming and REM sleep are simultaneously controlled by different brain mechanisms. The hypothesis states that the function of sleep is to process, encode, and transfer data from short-term memory to long-term memory through a process called consolidation. However, there is not much evidence to back this up. NREM sleep processes the conscious-related memory (declarative memory), and REM sleep processes the unconscious related memory (procedural memory).

The underlying assumption of continual-activation theory is that, during REM sleep, the unconscious part of the brain is busy processing procedural memory. Meanwhile, the level of activation in the conscious part of the brain descends to a very low level as the inputs from the senses are basically disconnected. This triggers the “continual-activation” mechanism to generate a data stream from the memory stores to flow through to the conscious part of the brain.

Link to Learning

Review the purpose and stages of sleep as well as the reasons why we dream in the following CrashCourse video:

You can view the transcript for “To Sleep, Perchance to Dream: Crash Course Psychology #9” here (opens in new window) .

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• The Nature and Meaning of Dreams. Provided by : Boundless. Located at : https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychology-textbook/states-of-consciousness-6/sleep-and-dreaming-42/the-nature-and-meaning-of-dreams-184-12719/ . License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
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storyline of events that occur during a dream, per Sigmund Freud’s view of the function of dreams

hidden meaning of a dream, per Sigmund Freud’s view of the function of dreams

common psychological tendencies that have been passed down from one generation to the next

people become aware that they are dreaming and can control the dream’s content

suggests that dreaming should be seen as an ancient biological defense mechanism that provides an evolutionary advantage because of its capacity to repeatedly simulate potential threatening events, thus enhancing the mechanisms required for efficient threat avoidance.

states that dreams don't actually mean anything. Instead, dreams are merely electrical brain impulses that pull random thoughts and imagery from our memories.

proposes that dreaming is a result of brain activation and synthesis; its assumption is that, during REM sleep, the unconscious part of the brain is busy processing procedural memory

General Psychology Copyright © by OpenStax and Lumen Learning is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Dreams and creative problem-solving

Affiliation.

• 1 Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
• PMID: 28640937
• DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13412

Dreams have produced art, music, novels, films, mathematical proofs, designs for architecture, telescopes, and computers. Dreaming is essentially our brain thinking in another neurophysiologic state-and therefore it is likely to solve some problems on which our waking minds have become stuck. This neurophysiologic state is characterized by high activity in brain areas associated with imagery, so problems requiring vivid visualization are also more likely to get help from dreaming. This article reviews great historical dreams and modern laboratory research to suggest how dreams can aid creativity and problem-solving.

Keywords: REM sleep; creativity; dream incubation; dreams; problem-solving.

© 2017 New York Academy of Sciences.

Publication types

• Brain / physiology*
• Creativity*
• Dreams / physiology*
• Dreams / psychology*
• Problem Solving / physiology*

What does it mean to dream about Problem solving

Dream Interpretation: Unraveling the Secrets of Problem-Solving through Science and PsychologyDreams have fascinated and perplexed humanity for centuries. They are enigmatic realms where our subconscious mind weaves intricate narratives that can leave us puzzled upon awakening. As we explore the meaning behind dreams, we inevitably encounter various scientific and psychological frameworks that offer insights into their purpose and significance.Two frameworks that can shed light on dream analysis, specifically related to problem-solving, are Memory Consolidation and Threat Simulation Theory. These frameworks provide distinct perspectives on why we dream and how dreams can offer guidance in navigating real-life challenges.Memory Consolidation, as the name suggests, proposes that dreams aid in consolidating our memories, facilitating the strengthening of neural connections and the integration of new information into existing knowledge. In the context of problem-solving, this framework suggests that dream scenarios could involve elements related to the problem we are trying to solve or offer alternative perspectives that challenge our existing mental frameworks.Take, for example, a dream about being lost in a maze. In waking life, you may be faced with a complex problem that requires navigating through different paths and finding the optimal solution. The dream, through the maze symbolism, hints at the challenge you face and suggests exploring various possibilities to arrive at a resolution. The dream may also trigger creative thinking by presenting new twists and turns, allowing you to consider alternative approaches beyond the limitations of logical reasoning.Moving on to the Threat Simulation Theory, this framework proposes that dreaming serves an evolutionary purpose by simulating potential threats and helping us practice responses to real-life dangers. In the context of problem-solving, dreams under this framework may provide a simulated laboratory where we can explore different scenarios and rehearse potential solutions.For instance, envision a dream where you find yourself attempting to fix a malfunctioning engine in a race against time. This dream could reflect a pressing problem in your waking life that requires timely intervention. The urgency and demand for quick thinking in the dream may be a representation of the pressure you feel while tackling the problem. By simulating the problem, the dream allows you to rehearse potential strategies and prepare yourself for the challenges ahead.By combining the insights from Memory Consolidation and Threat Simulation Theory, we can gain a deeper understanding of how problem-solving dreams function. Dreams might incorporate elements related to the problem at hand, guiding us to consider different perspectives and unconventional approaches. They also create a simulated environment where we can practice and refine our responses to real-life challenges, empowering us to face them with increased confidence and efficiency.It is essential to note that dream analysis should always be subjective, as each individual's dreams are unique and often deeply personal. The suggested frameworks provide a starting point for interpretation but should be accompanied by introspection and self-reflection to draw connections between dream symbols and real-life experiences.To apply these frameworks effectively, keep a dream journal and record your dreams immediately upon waking. Note the key symbols, emotions, and themes present in the dream. Then, reflect on any problems or challenges you currently face and attempt to connect the dream elements to your waking life experiences.Dreams serve as a rich tapestry of our subconscious thoughts, emotions, and desires. The intricacies weaved within them can offer valuable insights into our waking lives and illuminate new paths for problem-solving. By delving into the frameworks of Memory Consolidation and Threat Simulation Theory, we exercise the power of introspection, enabling us to harness the potential of our dreams to enhance our problem-solving abilities.Remember, as you embark on this journey of dream interpretation, an open mind, coupled with self-reflection, will be your compass and guide. Embrace the mysteries of the dream realm, and allow their wisdom to shape your waking world.

What does it mean to dream about Software development

What does it mean to dream about literature class.

Problem-Solving in Dreams: Can They Help You Find Solutions?

• Last Updated March 3, 2023

Have you ever woken up from a dream with an answer to a problem that had been plaguing you? If so, then you’ve experienced the connection between dreams and problem-solving.

Dreams can be powerful tools for unlocking creative solutions to difficult problems. 

Dreams are like puzzles that our brains work on while we sleep. During this time, our minds wander through different scenarios and explore potential solutions without the constraints of reality or logic.

This allows us to come up with ideas that wouldn’t have occurred in waking life because they don’t necessarily make sense logically or practically. It’s like having access to an alternate universe where anything is possible! 

So what is the connection between dreams and problem-solving?

Well, it turns out that dreaming can be a powerful tool when it comes to unlocking your problem-solving potential. 

Dreaming is not only an escape from reality but also provides us with the opportunity to explore our subconscious and gain insight into our lives.

When we dream, we are able to tap into creative solutions and ideas which may have been hidden away during our waking hours.

By allowing ourselves time for dreaming, we open up new pathways of thought which can help us find answers or even just provide clarity on difficult issues. 

Not only does dreaming allow us access to creative solutions but it also helps us process emotions associated with the problem at hand.

Dreams often reflect how we feel about certain situations and by understanding these feelings better, we are more likely to come up with effective strategies for tackling them head-on in real life. 

So if you’re stuck on a tricky issue or feeling overwhelmed by problems then why not give yourself some time each night before bedtime dedicated solely towards dreaming ? You never know what kind of insights might arise!

How to Identify and Interpret Problem-Solving Dreams

It’s not always simple to recognize and understand the solutions that these dreams offer, despite the fact that they might be useful tools for problem-solving.

Here, it’s important to pay particular attention to your dream environment and any symbols or motifs that show up again.

These symbols can frequently be used to represent many parts of the current problem and can provide you with fresh insights into it, such as:

The person in the dream

If you see someone in your dream , they could be a participant in the issue or a potential source of assistance.

It’s critical to pay attention to this person’s actions and personality since they may offer hints about the best way to tackle the situation.

If you have a dialogue in your dreams with a specific individual, attempt to recall it since it can highlight an important aspect of the issue that you hadn’t thought about.

If you have a dream about someone you don’t know , that individual may be a critical unknown element to the solution of the issue.

The environment or location in the dream

Being in an unfamiliar setting or place may represent the need to investigate a different angle on the problem.

If you find yourself in a library, this can be a sign that you need to do some research and consider some novel concepts.

A park could stand in for the need to unwind and take a break from the issue if you find yourself there.

Pay close attention to what occurs in the surroundings and consider how it might be related to the issue.

The objects or creatures in the dream

Any creatures or items that are observed could represent various issues that require attention.

If you see a bear in your dream, for instance, it can signify danger or hostility.

A bird, on the other hand, might be interpreted as a symbol of liberation or optimism. Keep an eye out for these symbols in your dreams and consider how they might relate to the circumstances.

You can utilize your dreams as a tool for finding fresh answers to problems by paying attention to the symbols and patterns they include.

Can Your Dreams Really Help You Solve Problems?

The answer is yes; it is possible for your dreams to assist you in finding solutions to issues. Dreams have the ability to offer a fresh and original viewpoint on a challenge, one that the dreamer may not have been aware of while awake.

While we are asleep, our brains continue to operate normally and process information, which might result in new realizations and approaches to resolving issues.

However, it is essential to keep in mind that the nature of not all dreams is that of problem-solving and that not all issues can be resolved through the use of dreaming.

In order to make the most of the potential that your dreams have to offer you in terms of problem-solving, it is essential to correctly interpret and evaluate the symbols and messages that appear in your dreams.

The Science of Problem-Solving in Dreams: How Does Your Brain Works While You Sleep?

Dreams happen during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, which is a stage of sleep in which our brains are active and processing information.

The brain still receives input from the environment during this stage and may use some of these external stimuli to solve problems or create solutions.

A study on mice discovered that their brains would frequently process memory and experiences from earlier in the day to solve a problem. This suggests that our own brains may use similar processing while we sleep.

The study discovered that even while the mice were sleeping, their brains were hard at work developing problem-solving strategies. This is a promising sign that dreams have the potential to help us solve problems.

However, dreaming does not always provide a solution, and it may take some time to find one. Still, with patience and determination, dreams can be a useful tool for finding solutions when we are stuck on an issue.

The Power of Problem-Solving Dreams: How to Use Them Effectively?

If you want to make the most of your dreams as a tool for problem-solving, it is vital to use them intentionally in that capacity. This will allow you to make the most of your dreams. Here are some tips:

1. Prepare the dream

Focusing on the issue right before you go to sleep will help you get ready for the dream you’re going to have. Your brain will be better able to process the situation when you are asleep if you do this.

2. Take notes of your dreams

One way of doing this is by keeping a dream journal – writing down any details from your dream immediately after waking up so they don’t get forgotten over time – which can help jog your memory when trying to decipher its meaning later on. 

3. Pay attention to those specific symbols

Pay close attention to the meanings of the symbols and the specifics in your dreams. These could give you suggestions and insights as to how you might approach the problem most effectively and how you can solve it.

4. Reflection your dream immediately

As soon as you open your eyes, you should devote some of your time to thinking about the dream you just had. This will enable you to record any insights or thoughts that came to you during your dream so that you won’t forget them later.

5. Asking yourself questions

Another technique involves asking yourself questions about what happened in the dream: What was I feeling? Who were the characters involved? What did I learn or gain from it?

Answering these questions can help reveal any underlying themes or symbols within the dream which may provide clues as to how best to approach tackling certain issues in real life too! 

Following these methods will allow you to make advantage of your dreams in order to develop original answers to the challenges you are facing.

5 Famous Dream Problem-Solvers: Einstein to Kekulé

Throughout the course of history, there have been numerous important figures who have been documented as having the ability to settle situations by working through them in their dreams.

Perhaps the most well-known illustration of this phenomenon is that of Albert Einstein , who is widely believed to have conceived his theory of relativity while he was asleep.

Friedrich August Kekulé , a scientist who was awarded the Nobel Prize later in life, is credited with discovering the structure of benzene by claiming that he did so by following the directions in his dream.

Some well-known figures such as Sigmund Freud , Leonardo da Vinci , and Stephen Hawking are among those who have acknowledged the usefulness of dream analysis in the process of problem-solving that they themselves have engaged in.

Dreaming is not only an escape from reality but also provides us with the opportunity to explore our subconscious and gain insight into our lives. When we dream, we are able to tap into creative solutions and ideas which may have been hidden away during our waking hours.

So if you’re stuck on a tricky issue or feeling overwhelmed by problems then why not give yourself some time each night before bedtime dedicated solely towards dreaming? You never know what kind of insights might arise!

Dreams are a powerful tool for problem-solving and can provide us with the insights we need to move forward when we are stuck on an issue.

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Solving problems in your dreams.

One of the many functions of dreaming is to come up with creative solutions to problems, to clear the mist that baffles us before sleep, and reveal new perspectives and possibilities, even brilliant ideas.

Throughout history we’ve been encouraged to ‘sleep on it’, to stop mulling over a problem, to quit admonishing ourselves for our inability to see the answer, to turn out the light, and drift into healing sleep and problem-solving dreams.

Sometimes it works really well, and you wake up knowing the answer to the previous night’s perplexing question, or having new clarity on the problem and a promising array of ideas to follow.

You may or may not remember the dreams, but you sense that they delivered. On those occasions when you do remember the dreams you have the opportunity to explore the ways those dreams processed the problem to arrive at the solution. You can also pick over those dreams for added insight and creative twists.

Sometimes it doesn’t work at all, and while you awake refreshed from a good night’s sleep, there’s no sense of a solution.

In this situation, if you remember your dreams, you may notice they were frustratingly unresolved dreams of the type that leave you going round in circles, blocked, or getting nowhere. Aha, but these are the very dreams that are rich in wisdom about the problem. When you interpret these dreams you’ll discover what it is about your current mindset that is blocking or limiting your ability to find a solution to the problem.

Or the dreams of the night may not seem unresolved: they may have been processing other recent experiences, or they may hold unexpected insight into the problem, once you interpret them, giving you leads that prompt creative thinking and exciting solutions.

On wonderful but rarer occasions, perhaps when we’re unaware of taking a problem into the night to ‘sleep on it’, our dreams unexpectedly deliver creative concepts and gifts, exciting us to put brilliant ideas into action, to produce music we heard for the first time in a dream, to create a dream work of art, or to write a novel based on a dream.

The fascinating thing is that the problem solving that can occur in our dreams is far from a rational process.

The areas of the brain that control rational thought – in particular certain areas of the prefrontal cortex – are relatively inactive during dreaming. Dream problem-solving is not so much a result of clear, rational organisation of thoughts as it is of wild, creative, out of the box associations made possible by unfettering rational control. Sounds more like dreaming, doesn’t it? Some of those wild associations are dead ends, some put us back in touch with what we once knew but had forgotten (where we put the lost keys, a daft place our rational brain would never have uncovered), some stimulate possible avenues to explore, and some are magical who-would-have-thought magnificent new perspectives that inspire us into action. Again, we may awaken with these solutions and ideas fresh in our mind with no recall of the dreams that birthed them, or we may remember the dreams and be able to mine them for further gems.

We can thank the unfettered dreams of many a famous person for the creative ideas and gifts they inspired. Here are some well-known examples .

Our problem solving dreams give us one or both of two wins, each win from a different side of the coin.

The first win is from those creative dreams that offer us solutions from everything ranging from everyday problems to world-changing dazzling ideas.

The second win is from those dreams on the other side of the coin, the apparent failures, the ones that set out to solve a problem but didn’t deliver an obvious first light of dawn solution, the unresolved frustrating dreams. These can offer the greater win if you know how to explore and interpret them, because these dreams show you the make-up of your current mindset and the way that make-up is blocking you from finding a solution to the problem, or resolving an issue. Once you gain that knowledge, you have the power (backed up by using dream alchemy exercises) to rewire that mindset and fast track to a top creative solution.

You will have had many creative problem solving dreams in your lifetime, and you will have many more in the future. Here’s a simple one I once had:

It’s not a brilliant idea kind of dream. It’s a helpful kind of dream. It’s a dream I had when I was quite exhausted, although I didn’t realise it, and my dreaming mind and brain got to work on finding a solution to this problem. It’s an everyday personal dream that was half on one side of the coin and half on the other.

In the dream I had a bike but I was too tired to cycle. I heard that I could get a yellow device, a round plastic shape, from the local garage, that I could attach to my bike to make it easier to ride. I was about to cycle to the garage when I thought, ‘Why would I want to use energy that I don’t have when I could get someone to deliver the yellow device to me?’ I was contemplating, in the dream, how to achieve that, when I woke up. My waking thought, in that moment while I still believed the dream to be true, was that I could get it couriered to me.

My dream delivered a creative solution to the problem of my exhaustion: ‘Don’t expend any more energy, arrange to have the energy you need brought to you’.

The dream delivered on the first side of the coin, but on the second side of the coin was the fact that I didn’t awake with a clear idea about how to achieve that. Because I remembered the dream I was able to explore and interpret it and come up with some great practical ideas about how to not only re-energise myself but also go about the project that had drained me in a different way, a way that opened up to better outcomes. One thing I love about this very simple dream is that it caught the point where I changed an attitude, or flipped a belief where I had previously felt I had to exert more energy in order to achieve the outcome, to a new attitude or belief that was healthier, energising, and offered greater opportunities.

No, I don’t ride a bike in waking life, and everything about this dream was in the realm of the symbolic. Yes, I do know that the dream’s yellow device was a kind of dynamo, something my dreaming mind could picture but not name, just as I could picture, but not name, what I needed to happen in my life to get my energy balance right. A little bit of dream work was all that was needed to reach the yellow sunshine of enlightenment.

I love that moment as I fall asleep, those few seconds where I catch rationality fading, structured thoughts dissolving as I surrender. Like being asked by an anaesthetist to count down from ten before an operation, I get to about 8, but unlike having an operation where no time seems to have passed between lights out and recovery, I relish the dream experiences ahead of me and the fantastic out-of-the-box way they will dance me to a deeper knowing.

Jane Teresa Anderson

Graduating with an Honours degree in Zoology specialising in developmental neurobiology from the University of Glasgow, dream analyst and dream therapist Jane Teresa Anderson has been researching dreams since 1992, and developing and teaching dream alchemy practices that shift perspective and reprogram unconscious limiting beliefs. Jane Teresa is a multi-published author (her latest book is BIRD OF PARADISE), and appears frequently in the media on television, radio, and in print. She is also host of the long-running podcast, 'The Dream Show with Jane Teresa Anderson', and offers her online study and certificate courses through The Dream Academy.

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5 Common Recurring Dreams and Their Potential Meanings

Have you been having strange dreams lately here's what they might mean..

Posted April 19, 2024 | Reviewed by Tyler Woods

Dreams have long held a certain mystique, captivating humanity with their enigmatic narratives and symbolism. Across both cultures and time, this aspect of our consciousness has been a constant source of fascination and interpretation.

However, through psychological research, both academics and laypeople alike are beginning to unearth the significance of dreams, as well as attempt to grasp their deeper meanings.

Psychological Perspectives on Dreaming

Dreams, arguably one of the most elusive fragments of our subconscious , occur during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. While the exact purpose of dreaming remains a long-standing subject of debate, researchers estimate that the average person experiences around four to six dreams per night.

During these nocturnal odysseys, our minds embark on journeys that can be as perplexing as they are revealing. However, similar to the purpose of dreams, their significance and origins have been a perpetual subject of debate.

• Freudian perspectives. Sigmund Freud, the renowned father of psychoanalysis , believed that dreams were the “royal road to the unconscious.” According to Freud, dreams are the gateway to our deepest desires, fears, and conflicts, often obscured from conscious awareness. He proposed the theory of manifest content (the literal narrative of a dream) and latent content (the symbolic meaning) concealed within. Through psychoanalysis, he sought to decode these hidden messages and uncover how our subconscious turmoil shapes our waking lives.
• Jungian perspectives. Carl Jung, another pioneering figure in psychology, offered an alternative perspective on dreams. For him, dreams aren’t a mere random manifestation of the subconscious, but rather a meaningful expression of our psyche’s quest for wholeness. Jung introduced the concept of archetypes—universal symbols that permeate human experience—and suggested dreams to be the channel through which these archetypes manifest. By engaging with our dreams, Jung believed we could make attempts at self-discovery and confront the shadowy aspects of our personalities, integrating them into a cohesive whole.
• Contemporary perspectives. In modern psychology, there are many diverse theories regarding the nature of dreams. Cognitive theories propose that dreams are a byproduct of the brain’s processing of information, serving to consolidate our memories while also reinforcing learning. Neurological research often focuses on the complex mechanisms that underlie our dreams, highlighting the role of brain activity during REM sleep. Although modern perspectives offer valuable insight, they often skirt around the profound symbolism and personal significance that dreams hold for each of us.

Common Dream Symbols and Their Meanings

Dreams are replete with symbolism, each carrying its own significance and resonance for each individual. Research from the journal Motivation and Emotion shows that, across the globe, there are multiple common motifs within our dreams. While interpretations may vary, certain themes recur across cultures and contexts:

• Falling. Likely one of the most ubiquitous dream motifs, dreams of falling often evoke a sense of vulnerability and loss of control. Psychologically, these dreams may symbolize a fear of failure or a perceived descent into personal chaos. Alternatively, falling could also indicate a need to let go of inhibitions and embrace change. Freud interpreted falling as a manifestation of sexual desires or anxieties, reflecting a longing for release or surrender.
• Flying. In stark contrast to falling, dreams of flying represent a soaring liberation from earthly constraints. Psychologically, flying dreams could symbolize freedom, empowerment, and transcendence. Jung viewed flying as a metaphor for spiritual ascent, signifying a journey towards enlightenment. These kinds of dreams often coincide with feelings of exhilaration and euphoria, and offer a glimpse of the potential within our human spirit.
• Being chased or attacked. The sensation of being pursued in a dream evokes our primal instincts of fear and evasion. Psychologically, these dreams may symbolize avoidance of confronting unresolved conflicts or emotions. It may reflect a sense of being overwhelmed by external pressures or inner turmoil. Jung interpreted these dreams as a confrontation with our shadow selves—the darker, suppressed aspects of our personalities that demand acknowledgement.
• Teeth falling out. Although strange, dreams involving the loss of teeth are surprisingly common, and they often elicit feelings of unease and vulnerability. Psychologically, these dreams may symbolize a fear of aging, loss of vitality, or concerns about self-image . Alternatively, they, too, could signify a need for renewal and rebirth, shedding old habits or beliefs to make way for growth. Freud interpreted them to be reflections of sexual anxieties or castration fears, linking them to feelings of emasculation and powerlessness.
• Public nudity. Dreams of being naked in public can lead to profound feelings of vulnerability and exposure. Psychologically, these dreams could symbolize a fear of judgment, rejection, or social scrutiny. They may reflect insecurities about self-image or a desire to conceal perceived flaws and weaknesses. Jung interpreted nudity as a stripping of societal masks and pretenses, exposing the true self beneath the façade of social conformity .

From classical to contemporary psychology, the study of dreams offers a window into the depths of our subconscious. In our own personal quests for understanding, embracing the strangeness of our dreams allows us to explore the depths of our true selves. In our dream worlds, the unconscious speaks. By listening to it, we may uncover profound truths that lay beneath the surface of our waking lives.

A version of this article also appears on Forbes.com.

Mark Travers, Ph.D., is an American psychologist with degrees from Cornell University and the University of Colorado Boulder.

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The Opening Days of Trump’s First Criminal Trial

Here’s what has happened so far in the unprecedented proceedings against a former u.s. president..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

It’s the first day of the Trump trial and just walking out the door in my house. It’s a beautiful day, 6:11 AM. The thing that keeps running through my head is it’s kind of amazing that hundreds of jurors are going to show up at the Manhattan courthouse. And some of them are going to know what they’re there for — probably talking to their friends, their relatives about it.

Some of them are going to learn this morning talking to other jurors in line, asking what all the fuss is about. But I really do imagine that there’s going to be at least one potential juror who, headphones on, getting into court. Here they’re going to be there for the first criminal trial of Donald J. Trump. And just, I mean, how would you react?

[MUSIC PLAYING]

From “The New York Times,” I’m Michael Barbaro. This is “The Daily.” Today, what it’s been like inside the lower Manhattan courtroom, where political and legal history are being made? My colleague, Jonah Bromwich, on the opening days of the first criminal trial of a US President. It’s Thursday, April 18.

Is that his mic? Hi, there.

Hello. How are you?

I’m doing good.

OK. Thank you for coming in, Jonah —

Thank you for having me.

— in the middle of a trial. Can you just explain why you’re able to even be here?

Sure. So we happen to be off on Wednesdays during trial, so.

We being not “The New York Times,” but the courts.

That’s right.

Which is why we’re taping with you. And because we now have two full court days of this history-making trial now under our belts. And the thing about this trial that’s so interesting is that there are no cameras in the courtroom for the wider world.

There’s no audio recordings. So all we really have is and your eyes and your notebook, maybe your laptop. And so we’re hoping you can reconstruct for us the scene of the first two days of this trial and really the highlights.

Yeah, I’d be happy to. So on Monday morning, I left the subway. It’s before 7:00 AM. The sun is just rising over these grandiose court buildings in lower Manhattan.

I’m about to turn left onto Center Street. I’m right in front of the big municipal building.

And I turn onto Center Street. That’s where the courthouses are.

I’m crossing.

And I expected to see a big crowd. And it was even bigger than I had anticipated.

Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. Now, I finally see the crowd.

You have camera banks. You have reporters. You have the beginnings of what will eventually become a protest. And you have this most New York thing, which is just a big crowd of people.

[CHUCKLES]: Who just know something is going on.

That’s right. And what they know is going on is, of course, the first trial of an American president.

All right, I’m passing the camera, folks. Camera, camera, camera, camera. Here we go.

Let’s start with Sharon Crowley live outside the courthouse in Lower Manhattan.

I want to get right to ABC’S Aaron Katersky who’s outside of the courthouse.

Robert Costa is following it outside the courthouse in Lower Manhattan. Bob, I saw the satellite trucks lined up all in a row. Good morning.

Talk to us how we got here exactly.

So this is the case that was brought by the Manhattan district attorney. So prosecutors have accused Donald Trump of covering up the actions of his former fixer, Michael Cohen, after Cohen paid hush money to Stormy Daniels. Stormy Daniels had a story about having had sex with Donald Trump, which Trump has always denied.

Cohen paid her money, and then Trump reimbursed Cohen. And prosecutors say that Trump essentially defrauded the American people because he hid this information that could have been very important for the election from those people when he reimbursed Cohen.

Right. And as I remember it, he also misrepresented what that reimbursement was. Claimed it was a legal fee when, in fact, it was just reimbursing Michael Cohen for a hush money payment.

Exactly, yeah. He definitely didn’t say reimbursement for hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. It’s a cover up case. It’s a case about hiding information you don’t want people to see.

Right. And of course, the context of all this is that it is in the middle of a presidential election. It’s 2016. Trump wants to keep this secret, prosecutors allege, so that the American public doesn’t know about it and potentially hold it against him.

Right. And prosecutors are telling a story about election interference. They’re saying that Trump interfered with an election. And Trump himself is also using the phrase “election interference.” But he’s painting the trial itself as election interference as he now runs again in 2024.

Fascinating.

And because we’re in Manhattan, and because the jury pool is going to be largely Democratic, and the judge is a Democrat, and the district attorney is a Democrat, Trump keeps claiming he cannot get a fair shake. This is democrat central. And in democrat central, Trump doesn’t have a chance.

OK. So, what happens once you actually enter the courthouse?

Outside, there’s all this fanfare. But inside, it’s a little bit business as usual. So I go up to the 15th floor, and I walk into the courtroom, and I sit down, and it’s the same old courtroom. And we’re sitting and waiting for the former president.

Around 9:30, Trump walks in. He looks thin. He looks a little tired, kind of slumping forward, as if to say with his body like let’s get this over with. Here we go.

The judge walks in a little bit after that. And we think we’re all set for the trial to start, but that’s not what happens here. And in fact, there are a series of legal arguments about what the trial is going to look like and what evidence is going to be allowed in.

So, for example, prosecutors ask that they be allowed to admit into evidence headlines from “The National Enquirer” that were attacks on Trump’s 2016 opponents — on Ted Cruz, on Marco Rubio, on Ben Carson.

Because prosecutors are in some sense putting Trump’s 2016 campaign on trial. These headlines are a big part of that because what prosecutors say they show is that Trump had this ongoing deal with “The National Enquirer.” And the publisher would promote him, and it would publish damaging stories about his opponents. And then crucially, it would protect Trump from negative stories. And that’s exactly what prosecutors say happened with Stormy Daniels. That “The National Enquirer” tipped Cohen off about Stormy Daniels trying to sell her story of having had sex with Donald Trump, which he denies. And that led to the hush money payment to her. So what prosecutors are doing overall with these headlines is establishing a pattern of conduct. And that conduct, they say, was an attempt to influence the election in Trump’s favor.

And the judge agrees. He’s going to admit this evidence. And this is a pretty big win for the prosecution. But even though they win that one, they’re not winning everything.

They lose some important arguments here. One of them was that after the Access Hollywood tape came out, there were allegations of sexual assault against Donald Trump. And you know this, Michael, because you reported two of them — two of the three in question at this very trial.

Prosecutors had hoped to talk about those during trial in front of the jury to show the jurors that the Trump campaign was really, really focused on pushing back against bad press in the wake of the Access Hollywood tape in which Trump seemed to describe sexual assault. That was a big problem for the campaign. Campaign did everything it could to push back, including against these allegations that surfaced in the wake of the tape.

But the judge, saying that the allegations are hearsay — that they’re based on the women’s stories — says absolutely not. That is incredibly prejudicial to the defendant.

Interesting.

And that Donald Trump would actually not get a fair trial were those allegations to be mentioned. And so he will not let those in. The jurors will not hear about them.

So this is a setback, of course, for the prosecution, a victory for Trump’s legal team.

It’s a setback. And it also just shows you how these pre-trial motions shape the context of the trial. Think of the trial as a venue like a theater or an athletic contest of some sort. And these pre-trial motions are about what gets led into the arena and what stays out. The sexual assault allegations — out. “The National Enquirer” headlines — in.

OK. And how is Trump sitting there at the defense table reacting to these pre-trial motion rulings from the judge?

Well, as I’ve just said, this is very important stuff for his trial.

Right. Hugely important.

But it’s all happening in legal language, and I’m decoding it for you. But if you were sitting there listening to it, you might get a little lost, and you might get a little bored. And Trump, who is not involved in these arguments, seems to fall asleep.

Seems to fall asleep — you’re seeing this with your own eyes.

What we’re seeing, overall, including our colleague, Maggie Haberman, who’s in the overflow room and has a direct view of Trump’s face — I’m sitting behind him in the courtroom, so I can’t see his face that well.

You guys are double teaming this.

That’s right. I’m sitting behind him, but Maggie is sitting in front of him. And what she sees is not only that his eyes are closed. That wouldn’t get you to he is asleep.

And we have to be really careful about reporting that he’s asleep, even if it seems like a frivolous thing. But what happens is that his head is dropping down to his chest, and then it’s snapping back up. So you’ve seen that, when a student —

I’ve done that.

(CHUCKLES) Yeah. We all kind of know that feeling of snapping awake suddenly. And we see the head motion, and it happens several times.

Lawyers kind of bothering him, not quite shaking him, but certainly trying to get his attention. And that head snapping motion, we felt confident enough to report that Trump fell asleep.

During his own criminal trial’s opening day.

Does someone eventually wake him up?

He wakes up. He wakes up. And in fact, in the afternoon, he’s much more animated. It’s almost as if he wants to be seen being very much awake.

Right. So once these pre-trial motions are ruled on and Trump is snapped back to attention, what happens?

Well, what happens in the courtroom is that the trial begins. The first trial of an American president is now in session. And what marks that beginning is jurors walking into the room one by one — many of them kind of craning their necks over at Donald Trump, giggling, raising their eyebrows at each other, filing into the room, and being sworn in by the judge. And that swearing in marks the official beginning of the trial.

The beginning is jury selection, and it’s often overlooked. It’s not dramatized in our kind of courtroom dramas in the same way. But it’s so important. It’s one of the most important parts of the case. Because whoever sits on the jury, these are the 12 people who are going to decide whether Trump is guilty or whether Trump is innocent.

So how does jury selection actually look and feel and go?

So, jury selection is a winnowing process. And in order to do that, you have to have these people go through a bunch of different hurdles. So the first hurdle is, after the judge describes the case, he asks the group — and there are just short of 100 of them — whether they can be fair and impartial. And says that if they can’t, they should leave. And more than half the group is instantly gone.

So after we do this big mass excusal, we’re left with the smaller group. And so now, jurors are getting called in smaller groups to the jury box. And what they’re going to do there is they’re going to answer this questionnaire.

And this part of the process is really conducted by the judge. The lawyers are involved. They’re listening, but they’re not yet asking questions of the jurors themselves.

And what’s on the questionnaire?

Well, it’s 42 questions. And the questions include, their education, their professional histories, their hobbies, what they like to do whether you’re a member of QAnon or Antifa.

Whether you’re far left or far right.

That’s right. Whether you’ve read “The Art of the Deal,” Trump’s book, which some prospective jurors had.

Right. It was a bestseller in its time.

That’s right. And some of it can be answered in yes/no questions, but some of it can be answered more at length. So some of the prospective jurors are going very, very fast. Yes, no, no, no, yes.

Right. Because this is an oral questionnaire.

That’s right. But some of them are taking their time. They’re expanding on their hobbies. So the potential juror in seat 3, for example, is talking about her hobbies. And she says some running, hiking. And then she said, I like to go to the club, and it got a huge laugh. And you get that kind of thing in jury selection, which is one of the reasons it’s so fun. It’s the height of normality in this situation that is anything but normal.

Right. The most banal answer possible delivered in front of the former president And current Republican nominee for president.

Well, that’s one of the fascinating parts about all this, right? is that they’re answering in front of Trump. And they’re answering questions about Trump in front of Trump. He doesn’t react all that much. But whenever someone says they’ve read “The Art of the Deal —” and there are a few of those — he kind of nods appreciatively, smiles. He likes that. It’s very clear. But because there are so many questions, this is taking forever, especially when people are choosing to answer and elaborate and digress.

This is when you fall asleep.

This Is. When I would have fallen asleep if I were a normal person.

And by the end of the day. Where does jury selection stand?

Well, the questionnaire is another device for shrinking that jury pool. And so the questionnaire has almost these little obstacles or roadblocks, including, in fact, a question that jurors have seen before — whether they would have any problem being fair and impartial?

Hmm. And they ask it again.

They’re asked it again. And they’re asked in this more individualized way. The judge is questioning them. They’re responding.

So, remember that woman who said she liked to go to the club got a big laugh. She reaches question 34. And question 34 reads, “Do you have any strong opinions or firmly-held beliefs about former President Donald Trump or the fact that he is a current candidate for president that would interfere with your ability to be a fair and impartial juror?” She said, yes, she does have an opinion that would prevent her from being fair and impartial. And she, too, is excused.

So that’s how it works. People answer the questionnaire, and they get excused in that way, or they have a scheduling conflict once they reach the jury box. And so to answer your question, Michael. At the end of day one, given all these problems with the questionnaire and the length of time it’s taken to respond to and people getting dismissed based on their answers, there is not a single juror seated for this trial.

And it’s starting to look like this is going to be a really hard case for which to find an impartial jury.

That’s the feeling in the room, yeah.

We’ll be right back.

So Jonah, let’s turn to day 2. What does jury selection look like on Tuesday?

So when the day begins, it looks almost exactly like it looked when the day ended on Monday. We’re still with the questionnaire, getting some interesting answers. But even though it feels like we’re going slow, we are going.

And so we’ve gone from about 100 people to now there’s about 24 the room there’s 18 the jury box. And by the time we hit lunch, all those people have answered all those questions, and we are ready for the next step in the process.

Voir dire. And what it is the heart of jury selection. This is the point where the lawyers themselves finally get to interview the jurors. And we get so much information from this moment because the lawyers ask questions based on what they want out of the jurors.

So the prosecution is asking all these different kinds of questions. The first round of wajir is done by a guy named Joshua Steinglass, a very experienced trial lawyer with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. And he’s providing all these hypotheticals. I’ll give you one example because I found this one really, really interesting. He provides a hypothetical about a man who wants his wife killed and essentially hires a hitman to do it. And what he asked the jurors is, if that case were before you, would you be able to see that the man who hired the hitman was a part of this crime?

And of course, what he’s really getting at is, can you accept that even though Michael Cohen, Trump’s fixer, made this payment, Trump is the guy who hired him to do it?

That’s right. If there are other people involved, will jurors still be able to see Donald Trump’s hands behind it all?

Fascinating. And what were some of the responses?

People mostly said, yes, we accept that. So that’s how the prosecution did it.

But the defense had a totally different method of voir dire. They were very focused on their client and people’s opinions about their client.

So what kind of questions do we get from them?

So the lawyer, Todd Blanche, is asking people, what do you make of President Trump? What do you think of President Trump?

And what are some of the responses to that?

Well, there’s this incredible exchange with one of the jurors who absolutely refuses to give his opinion of Donald Trump. They go back and forth and back and forth. And the juror keeps insisting you don’t need to know my opinion of him. All you need to know is that I’m going to be fair and impartial, like I said. And Blanch pushes, and the guy pushes back. And the only way the guy budges is he finally kind of confesses almost at the end that, yes, I am a Democrat, and that’s all we get.

And what ends up happening to this potential juror?

Believe it or not, he got dismissed.

[LAUGHS]: I can believe it. And of course, it’s worth saying that this guy and everybody else is being asked that question just feet from Trump himself.

That’s right. And you might think you were going to get a really kind of spicy, like, popcorn emoji-type exchange from that. But because these are now jurors who have said they can be fair and impartial, who, to some extent, want to be on this jury or at least wouldn’t mind being on this jury, they’re being very restrained.

Mostly, what they are emphasizing — much like that guy just described dis — is that they can be fair. They can be impartial. There’s one woman who gives this really remarkable answer.

She says, I thought about this last night. I stayed up all night. I couldn’t sleep, thinking about whether I could be fair. It’s really important to me, and I can.

What ends up happening to that particular juror?

She’s also dismissed. And she’s dismissed without any reason at all. The defense decides it doesn’t like her. It doesn’t want her on the jury. And they have a certain number of chances to just get rid of jurors — no questions asked.

Other jurors are getting dismissed for cause — I’m doing air quotes with my hands — which means that the lawyers have argued they actually revealed themselves through their answers or through old social media posts, which are brought up in the courtroom, to be either non-credible, meaning they’ve said they can be fair and they can’t, or somehow too biased to be on the jury.

Wait, can I just dial into that for a second? Are lawyers researching the jurors in real time going online and saying — I’m making this up — but Jonah Bromwich is a potential juror, and I’m going to go off into my little corner of the courtroom and Google everything you’ve ever said? Is that what’s happening in the room?

Yeah, there’s a whole profession dedicated to that. It’s called jury consultant, and they’re very good at finding information on people in a hurry. And it certainly looked as if they were in play.

Did a social media post end up getting anybody kicked off this jury?

Yes, there were posts from 2016 era internet. You’ll remember that time as a very heated one on the internet, Facebook memes are a big thing. And so there’s all kinds of lock him up type memes and rhetoric. And some of the potential jurors here have used those. And those jurors are dismissed for a reason.

So we have these two types of dismissals, right? We have these peremptory dismissals — no reason at all given. And we have for cause dismissals.

And the process is called jury selection. But you don’t actually get selected for a jury. The thing is to make it through all these obstacles.

You’re left over.

Right. And so when certain jurors are not dismissed, and they’ve made it through all these stages, by the end of the day, we have gone from zero juror seated to seven jurors who will be participating in Donald Trump’s trial.

Got it. And without going through all seven, just give us a little bit of a sketch of who so far is on this jury. What stands out?

Well, not that much stands out. So we’ve got four men. We’ve got three women. One lives on the Upper East Side. One lives in Chelsea. Obviously, they’re from all over Manhattan.

They have these kind of very normal hobbies like spending time with family and friends. They have somewhat anonymous jobs. We’ve got two lawyers. We’ve got someone who’s worked in sales.

So there’s not that much identifying information. And that’s not an accident . One of the things that often happens with jury selection, whether it be for Donald Trump or for anyone else, is the most interesting jurors — the jurors that kind of catch your attention during the process — they get picked off because they are being so interesting that they interest one or the other side in a negative way. And soon they’re excused. So most of the jurors who are actually seated —

Are not memorable.

Are not that memorable, save one particular juror.

OK. All right, I’ll bite. What do I need to know about that one particular juror?

So let me tell you about a prospective juror who we knew as 374, who will now be juror number five. She’s a middle school teacher from Harlem. And she said that she has friends who have really strong opinions about Trump, but she herself does not. And she insisted several times, I am not a political person.

And then she said this thing that made me quite surprised that the prosecution was fine with having her on the jury. She said, quote, “President Trump speaks his mind, and I’d rather that than someone who’s in office who you don’t know what they’re thinking.”

Hmm. So she expressed approval of President Trump.

Yeah, it was mild approval. But the thing is, especially for the defense in this trial, all you need is one juror. One juror can tie up deliberations in knots, and you can end with a hung jury. And this is actually something that I saw firsthand. In 2019, I was the foreperson on a jury.

How you like that?

Yeah. And the trial was really complicated, but I had thought while we were doing the trial, oh, this is going to be a really easy decision. I thought the defendant in that case was guilty. So we get into deliberations, but there’s this one juror who keeps gumming up the works every time we seem to be making progress, getting a conversation started.

This juror proverbially throws up his hands and says, I am not convicting. This man is innocent. And we talked and we talked. And as the foreperson, I was trying to use all my skills to mediate.

But any time we made any progress, this guy would blow it up. And long story short, hung jury — big victory for the defense lawyer. And we come out of the room. And she points at this juror. The guy —

The defense lawyer.

The defense lawyer points at this juror who blew everything up. And she said, I knew it. I knew I had my guy.

OK. I don’t want to read too much into what you said about that one juror. But should I read between the lines to think that if there’s a hung jury, you wonder if it might be that juror?

That’s what everyone in the courtroom is wondering not just about this juror, but about every single person who was selected. Is this the person who swings the case for me? Is this the person who swings the case against me?

These juries are so complex. It’s 12 people who don’t know each other at the start of the trial and, by the end of the trial, have seen each other every morning and are experiencing the same things, but are not allowed to have talked about the case until deliberations start. In that moment when deliberations start —

You’re going to learn a whole lot about each other.

That’s right. There’s this alchemical moment where suddenly, it all matters. Every personality selected matters. And that’s why jury selection is so important. And that’s why these last two days are actually one of the most important parts of this trial.

OK. So by my math, this trial will require five more jurors to get to 12. I know also they’re going to need to be alternates. But from what you’re saying what looked like a really uphill battle to get an impartial jury or a jury that said it could be impartial — and Trump was very doubtful one could be found — has turned out to not be so hard to find.

That’s right. And in fact, we went from thinking, oh, boy, this is going awfully slowly, to the judge himself saying we could be doing opening arguments as soon as Monday morning. And I think that highlights something that’s really fascinating both about this trial and about the jury selection process overall.

One of the things that lawyers have been arguing about is whether or not it’s important to figure out what jurors’ opinions about Donald Trump are. And the prosecution and, I think, the judge have really said, no, that’s not the key issue here. The key issue is not whether or not people have opinions about Donald Trump.

Right. Who doesn’t have an opinion about Donald Trump?

Exactly. They’re going to. Automatically, they’re going to. The question is whether or not they can be fair and impartial. And the seven people we already have seated, and presumably the five people that we’re going to get over the next few days and however many alternates — we expect six — are all going to have answered that question, not I hate Trump; I love Trump, but I can weigh in on the former president’s innocence or guilt, and I can do it as fairly as humanly possible.

Now, Trump is not happy about this. He said after court yesterday, quote, We have a highly conflicted judge, and he’s rushing this trial.” And I think that he is going to see these beats of the system the criminal justice system as it works on him as he is experiencing it as unfair. That is typically how he talks about it and how he views it.

But what he’s getting is what defendants get. This is the system in New York, in the United States. This is its answer to how do you pick a fair jury? Well, you ask people can you be fair? And you put them through this process, and the outcome is 12 people.

And so I think we’re going to see this over and over again in this trial. We’re going to see Trump experience the criminal justice system.

And its routines.

Yeah, openings, witnesses, evidence, closings. He’s going to go through all of it. And I think, at every turn, it makes sense to expect him to say, well, this is not fair. Well, the judge is doing something wrong. Well, the prosecutors are doing something wrong. Well, the jury is doing something wrong.

But at the end of the day, he’s going to be a defendant, and he’s going to sit, mostly silently if his lawyers can make him do that, and watch this process play itself out. So the system is going to try and treat him like any other defendant, even though, of course —

— he’s not. And he is going to fight back like no other defendant would, like no other defendant could. And that tension, him pushing against the criminal justice system as it strives to treat him, as it would anyone else, is going to be a defining quality of this trial.

Well, Jonah, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

Of course. Thanks so much for having me. [MUSIC PLAYING]

PS, have you ever fallen asleep in a trial?

I have not.

[CHUCKLES]:

Here’s what else you need to know today.

It’s clear the Israelis are making a decision to act. We hope they do so in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible and in a way that, as I said —

During a visit to Jerusalem on Wednesday, Britain’s foreign Secretary left little doubt that Israel would retaliate against Iran for last weekend’s aerial attack, despite pressure from the United States and Britain to stand down. The question now is what form that retaliation will take? “The Times” reports that Israel is weighing several options, including a direct strike on Iran, a cyber attack, or targeted assassinations. And —

Look, history judges us for what we do. This is a critical time right now, critical time on the world stage.

In a plan that could threaten his job, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson will put a series of foreign aid bills up for a vote this weekend. The bills, especially for aid to Ukraine, are strongly opposed by far-right House Republicans, at least two of whom have threatened to try to oust Johnson over the plan.

I can make a selfish decision and do something that’s different, but I’m doing here what I believe to be the right thing. I think providing lethal aid to Ukraine right now is critically important. I really do. I really — [MUSIC PLAYING]

Today’s episode was produced by Rikki Novetsky, Will Reid, Lynsea Garrison, and Rob Zubko. It was edited by Paige Cowett, contains original music by Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Dan Powell, and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly Lake.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow.

• April 19, 2024   •   30:42 The Supreme Court Takes Up Homelessness
• April 18, 2024   •   30:07 The Opening Days of Trump’s First Criminal Trial
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• April 16, 2024   •   29:29 A.I.’s Original Sin
• April 15, 2024   •   24:07 Iran’s Unprecedented Attack on Israel
• April 14, 2024   •   46:17 The Sunday Read: ‘What I Saw Working at The National Enquirer During Donald Trump’s Rise’
• April 12, 2024   •   34:23 How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam
• April 11, 2024   •   28:39 The Staggering Success of Trump’s Trial Delay Tactics
• April 10, 2024   •   22:49 Trump’s Abortion Dilemma
• April 9, 2024   •   30:48 How Tesla Planted the Seeds for Its Own Potential Downfall
• April 8, 2024   •   30:28 The Eclipse Chaser
• April 7, 2024 The Sunday Read: ‘What Deathbed Visions Teach Us About Living’

Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Featuring Jonah E. Bromwich

Produced by Rikki Novetsky ,  Will Reid ,  Lynsea Garrison and Rob Szypko

Edited by Paige Cowett

Original music by Dan Powell ,  Marion Lozano and Elisheba Ittoop

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Political and legal history are being made in a Lower Manhattan courtroom as Donald J. Trump becomes the first former U.S. president to undergo a criminal trial.

Jonah Bromwich, who covers criminal justice in New York, explains what happened during the opening days of the trial, which is tied to Mr. Trump’s role in a hush-money payment to a porn star.

On today’s episode

Jonah E. Bromwich , who covers criminal justice in New York for The New York Times.

Background reading

Here’s a recap of the courtroom proceedings so far.

Mr. Trump’s trial enters its third day with seven jurors chosen.

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The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Jonah E. Bromwich covers criminal justice in New York, with a focus on the Manhattan district attorney’s office and state criminal courts in Manhattan. More about Jonah E. Bromwich

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