Why do we dream?

Serious Topics

Dreams have fascinated humanity since time immemorial. But what do we really know about them? Why do we dream, and what role do dreams play in our psychological functioning? This course offers an accessible introduction to the psychology and neuroscience of dreaming. We will explore the main scientific theories about sleep and dreams, the different stages of sleep, the mechanisms of memory, as well as the possible functions of dreams according to current knowledge. We will also examine the major historical approaches to dream interpretation, particularly those of Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustav Jung, in order to better understand their influence on the history of psychology. Through concrete examples and the findings of contemporary research, this course invites you to discover what dreams can teach us about how the brain and mind function, while clearly distinguishing scientific knowledge from hypotheses and beliefs.