Overview
The Scientific Study of Dreams: Neural Networks, Cognitive Development and Content Analysis presents a new neurocognitive model of dreams that draws from empirical research to explain the process of dreaming and the nature of dream content. Until now, dream studies have been limited in their usefulness, but recent advances in neuroscience, dream content analysis cognitive linguistics, statistics, and computer software have made it possible to revitalize this area of research with the use of scientific methods.Synopsis
Domhoff (U. of California at Santa Cruz) argues that new neuropsychological and neuroimaging findings can be combined with understandings of dream content to create and test a neurocognitive model of dreaming. His model suggests that dreaming may be linked to the neural network for spatial construction and that dreams make use of the system of figurative thinking which cognitive scientists think is pervasive in waking thought. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Nicholas Greco IV, MS, BCETS, CATSM(Abbott Laboratories)
Description:This truly interesting book explores the provocative area of dreams and goes beyond the all too common psychoanalytic notions and introduces a new neurocognitive model of dreams supported by empirical research.
Purpose:The purpose is to consider a new neurocognitive model which is supported by empirical findings from systematic studies. Interestingly enough, these new findings come to challenge our best known clinical theories for dreaming. The author provides a model that he hopes will be implemented into cognitive science and cognitive psychology. This is a worthy objective.
Audience:This book will be best understood by those in the field of psychology but potentially those in the field of psychiatry who practice psychotherapy may benefit as well. The author is a credible authority in the field and provides a substantial amount of understanding and expertise in proposing this new model.
Features:The book presents the new model in great detail with an emphasis on the available methods for the systematic study of dream content. There is a well-detailed presentation of the Hall-Van de Castle system of content analysis. What is really intriguing is the description of the DreamBank.net which is a terrific new resource to study dream content and contains over 11,000 dream reports for one to use in studies. Finally the author ties together past and current views as well as future directions for research.
Assessment:Many of us in psychology are all too familiar with the theories of Jung and Freud regarding dreams. What is truly novel is that the author challenges our field which is rooted in empirical knowledge, to adopt or at least consider this new model. Truly a thought-provoking and beneficial addition within the field of psychology.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Nicholas Greco IV, MS, BCETS, CATSM(Abbott Laboratories)Description: This truly interesting book explores the provocative area of dreams and goes beyond the all too common psychoanalytic notions and introduces a new neurocognitive model of dreams supported by empirical research.
Purpose: The purpose is to consider a new neurocognitive model which is supported by empirical findings from systematic studies. Interestingly enough, these new findings come to challenge our best known clinical theories for dreaming. The author provides a model that he hopes will be implemented into cognitive science and cognitive psychology. This is a worthy objective.
Audience: This book will be best understood by those in the field of psychology but potentially those in the field of psychiatry who practice psychotherapy may benefit as well. The author is a credible authority in the field and provides a substantial amount of understanding and expertise in proposing this new model.
Features: The book presents the new model in great detail with an emphasis on the available methods for the systematic study of dream content. There is a well-detailed presentation of the Hall-Van de Castle system of content analysis. What is really intriguing is the description of the DreamBank.net which is a terrific new resource to study dream content and contains over 11,000 dream reports for one to use in studies. Finally the author ties together past and current views as well as future directions for research.
Assessment: Many of us in psychology are all too familiar with the theories of Jung and Freud regarding dreams. What is truly novel is that the author challenges our field which is rooted in empirical knowledge, to adopt or at least consider this new model. Truly a thought-provoking and beneficial addition within the field of psychology.
4 Stars! from Doody