Ib Extended Essay: Dreams and Memory Consolidation
Is there a link between dreaming and the processes of memory consolidation?
Candidate Name: Oscar Louw
School: Wesley College, Melbourne
Date: 6 June, 2010
Word count: 3434
Contents
Abstract …………………………………………………………………………….i.
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………..1.
Body of text…………………………………………………………………………2
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….6
References………………………………………………………………………….8
Abstract
This essay will pose the question “is there is there a link between dreaming and the processes of memory consolidation?” A review of research and literature in this area was undertaken, focussing on the biological and behavioural studies of the effects of sleep on memory consolidation; the neural structures in which memory processes are stored; the link between sleep stages and the consolidation of different forms of memory, and how the content of dreams reflect this. The responses from the scientific and psychological communities to these studies were also examined, in particular the criticisms towards the methodological aspects of some of the studies, the inconclusive results from certain sleep deprivation studies, and the presentation of alternative hypotheses were explained. This wide review of literature on the debate from the last three decades ultimately leads to the conclusion that there is definitely a clear link between the processes of memory consolidation and dreaming, namely that dreaming is a by-product of different types of memory consolidation processes in different stages of sleep, but the exact mechanisms by which this occurs needs more research to be fully understood.
Introduction
Sleep is an extremely interesting phenomenon in which the mind almost completely departs from the usual realm of consciousness (Foulkes, 1999). Many theories have been proposed over the years as to why we need sleep. An essential part of sleep is the surreal world and narrative that is experienced during the state known as dreaming (Combs & Krippner, 1998).
Candidate Name: Oscar Louw
School: Wesley College, Melbourne
Date: 6 June, 2010
Word count: 3434
Contents
Abstract …………………………………………………………………………….i.
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………..1.
Body of text…………………………………………………………………………2
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….6
References………………………………………………………………………….8
Abstract
This essay will pose the question “is there is there a link between dreaming and the processes of memory consolidation?” A review of research and literature in this area was undertaken, focussing on the biological and behavioural studies of the effects of sleep on memory consolidation; the neural structures in which memory processes are stored; the link between sleep stages and the consolidation of different forms of memory, and how the content of dreams reflect this. The responses from the scientific and psychological communities to these studies were also examined, in particular the criticisms towards the methodological aspects of some of the studies, the inconclusive results from certain sleep deprivation studies, and the presentation of alternative hypotheses were explained. This wide review of literature on the debate from the last three decades ultimately leads to the conclusion that there is definitely a clear link between the processes of memory consolidation and dreaming, namely that dreaming is a by-product of different types of memory consolidation processes in different stages of sleep, but the exact mechanisms by which this occurs needs more research to be fully understood.
Introduction
Sleep is an extremely interesting phenomenon in which the mind almost completely departs from the usual realm of consciousness (Foulkes, 1999). Many theories have been proposed over the years as to why we need sleep. An essential part of sleep is the surreal world and narrative that is experienced during the state known as dreaming (Combs & Krippner, 1998).
References: Aristotle 350BC, ‘On sleep and sleeplessness’, translated by Beare, JI, 2007, eBooks@Adelaide, University of Adelaide, South Australia, viewed 30 May, 2010, Battaglia, FP, Sutherland, GR & McNaughton, BL 2004 Frank, MG & Benington, J, 2006, “The role of sleep in memory consolidation and brain plasticity: dream or reality?’, The Neuroscientist, vol. 12, no.6, pp. 1 – 12. Stickgold, R & Walker, MP, 2005 ‘Sleep and memory: the ongoing debate’, Sleep, vol. 28, pp. 1225 – 1227.