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Dreams and creative problem‐solving
Author(s) -
Barrett Deirdre
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/nyas.13412
Subject(s) - mathematical proof , creativity , cognitive science , state (computer science) , psychology , visualization , computer science , architecture , cognitive psychology , visual arts , artificial intelligence , art , social psychology , mathematics , algorithm , geometry
Dreams have produced art, music, novels, films, mathematical proofs, designs for architecture, telescopes, and computers. Dreaming is essentially our brain thinking in another neurophysiologic state—and therefore it is likely to solve some problems on which our waking minds have become stuck. This neurophysiologic state is characterized by high activity in brain areas associated with imagery, so problems requiring vivid visualization are also more likely to get help from dreaming. This article reviews great historical dreams and modern laboratory research to suggest how dreams can aid creativity and problem‐solving.