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Cited by 73Sleep and Wakefulness ResearchSleep and related disordersPhilosophy and Theoretical Science

Evolutionary function of dreams: a test of the threat simulation theory in recurrent dreams

Zadra, Antonio, Desjardins, Sophie, Marcotte, Éric·2006·Consciousness and Cognition
DOI 10.1016/j.concog.2005.02.002
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Abstract

proposed an intriguing and detailed evolutionary theory of dreams which stipulates that the biological function of dreaming is to simulate threatening events and to rehearse threat avoidance behaviors. The goal of the present study was to test this theory using a sample of 212 recurrent dreams that was scored using a slightly expanded version of the DreamThreat rating scale. Six of the eight hypotheses tested were supported. Among the positive findings, 66% of the recurrent dream reports contained one or more threats, the threats tended to be dangerous and aimed at the dreamer, and when facing a threat, the dreamer tended to take defensive or evasive actions that were possible and reasonable. However, less than 15% of the recurrent dreams depicted realistic and probable situations critical for one's physical survival or reproductive success and the dreamer rarely succeeded in fleeing the threat despite important and appropriate efforts. The findings thus provide mixed support for the threat simulation theory.

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  • The hypothesis that dreams allow for avoidance practice of dangerous situations is contradicted by the fact that only a small percentage of dreams contain this sort of behavior, and in those that do realistic plans of actions are rarely actually implemented.

    “However, this is contradicted by the fact that only a small percentage of dreams contain this sort of behavior (even when defining threats incredibly broadly), and in those that do realistic plans of actions in these scenarios are rarely actually implemented.101,102”

    From The overfitted brain: Dreams evolved to assist generalization (2021) · cites this paper as [102]

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Authors
Zadra, A., Desjardins, S., & Marcotte, É.
Affiliations
Université de Montréal (CA)
Corresponding author
Zadra, Antonio
ORCID
Venue
Consciousness and Cognition
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-06
Volume
15
Issue
2
Pages
450-463
ISSN
1053-8100 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.concog.2005.02.002
OpenAlex
W2029374130
Cited by
73
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
FWCI
1.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Consciousness and Cognition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Philosophy and Theoretical Science
Keywords
threat avoidance, dream content analysis
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Attitude, Dangerous Behavior, Dreams, Emotions, Biological Evolution, Fear, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Recurrence

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