Dreamers as agents making strategizing efforts exemplify core aggregate of executive function in non-lucid dreaming

  • Miloslava Kozmova (Author)
    Univestiy of Massachusetts, Boston, USA
    Department of Psyhology, Lecturer

Identifiers (Article)

Abstract

The study of higher-order cognition in dreaming was guided by the question “What are the scope and purpose of thinking/strategizing efforts as one of three previously identified direct mental problem-solving modalities (Kozmová, 2008; 2012) that some dreamers are capable of using to resolve the novelties of felt-need situations encountered during non-lucid dreaming?” The research utilized previously articulated thought processes of a multilayered nocturnal problem-solving phenomenon that emerged from analysis of archived cross-cultural dreams (Kozmová, 2008). The results, in the form of taxonomy of delimited higher-order thought executive processes analyzed by the method of grounded theory, describe core aggregate of executive function that consists of eight types of executive thought processes: (a) analytical, (b) decision-making, (c) defense mechanisms, (d) evaluative, (e) goal-oriented/goal-directed, (f) interpretative, (g) motivational, and (h) self-determinative. The subsequent substantive grounded theory proposes four purposes for dreamers’ demonstration of strategizing efforts within the scope of higher-order cognitive skills: (a) information gathering; (b) judgment; (c) protection and maximizing chances for success; and (d) exercising volition, agency, and autonomy. The future application of core aggregate of executive function in non-lucid dreaming includes research of neural correlates that could support this function during sleep.

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Published
2012-04-27
Language
en
Contributor or sponsoring agency
None
Keywords
Executive function in non-lucid dreaming, Higher-order cognition in dreaming, Dreaming consciousness, Agency dreams, Core aggregate of executive function, Grounded theory
How to Cite
Kozmova, M. (2012). Dreamers as agents making strategizing efforts exemplify core aggregate of executive function in non-lucid dreaming. International Journal of Dream Research, 5(1), 47–67. https://doi.org/10.11588/ijodr.2012.1.9159