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The richness of this book makes it difficult to summarize adequately. This volume is essential reading for anyone interested in modern work on the psychology, psychophysiology, and clinical utilization of dreams. The first portion presents a summary of Freud's theories, an accompanying critique, an exposition of a new information-processing model of dreaming, and a hypothesis concerning dream function. This is followed by a well-rounded (but not exhaustive) review of the experimental literature on the effects upon dreams of the experimental situation, the application of stimuli before and during sleep, dream deprivation and interruption, and various drugs.
The authors continue with a detailed presentation of two important experimental, electrographically monitored dream studies of their own dealing with the effects of group therapy sessions and surgery on dreams. Both experimental situations were stressful, providing naturalistic settings in which to assess these effects as well as to test their hypotheses concerning dreams.
Fundamental to their work is a model of the mind derived from their own conceptions as well as other sources. For these authors, the mind is composed of interrelated memory systems which determine perception, psychological transformations (on conscious, semiconscious, and unconscious levels) of such perceived material, and action (motor activity, speech, etc.). The substance of such memory systems is thought of as stored information and content and the programs and plans by which the content is retrieved and used. Motivation is formulated as the selective dominance or persistence of some plans and actions and is accounted for by two hypotheses: first, the initial structuring or programming of the memory systems determines their subsequent functioning; and second, the processes subserving major needs are connected with the emotional-affective feedback systems which amplify and potentiate the associated thoughts and actions.