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Neural Correlates of Lucid Dreams: The Role of Metacognition and Volition
University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
2018 (English)Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 15 credits / 22,5 HE creditsStudent thesis
Abstract [en]

Dreams play an important role in consciousness studies, because of their ubiquitous presence but ambiguous nature. Dreams can be divided into two categories: non-lucid dreams and lucid dreams (i.e., dreams in which the dreamer knows he is dreaming). Lucid dreams are experiences with features of both waking and dreaming consciousness. In this essay, I review the differences in neural correlates between non-lucid dreams and lucid dreams. While both types of dreams share similar neural substrates, lucid dreams are especially accompanied by more activation in prefrontal areas. These areas are known to be involved in functions of secondary consciousness such as metacognition and volition. These findings are also echoed by verbal reports from lucid dreams. While the relationship metacognition and volition and lucid dreams is not yet fully clear, it seems that increased activation of metacognition and volition cause the dreamer to realize he is dreaming. Based on previous literature, I offer a conceptualization of dreams, in which a continuous variable, lucidity, can measure the degree to which metacognition and volition vary across dream types. I suggest that the transition between non-lucid and lucid dreams is a two-step process. The implications of this are discussed.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2018. , p. 48
Keywords [en]
lucid dreams, non-lucid dreams, metacognition, volition, consciousness
National Category
Neurosciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:his:diva-15989OAI: oai:DiVA.org:his-15989DiVA, id: diva2:1233537
Subject / course
Cognitive Neuroscience
Educational program
Consciousness Studies - Philosophy and Neuropsychology
Presentation
2018-05-14, G326, Högskolevägen, Skövde, 10:34 (English)
Supervisors
Examiners
Available from: 2018-07-26 Created: 2018-07-18 Last updated: 2018-07-26Bibliographically approved

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CiteExportLink to record
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Citation style
  • apa
  • apa-cv
  • ieee
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  • de-DE
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Output format
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