This article discusses the different theories about why we have dreams. There are many different beliefs from well known psychologists, and the truth is no one really knows what causes us to actually dream. The purpose of this article is to present different theories so the person reading it can decide for themselves which one they believe to be true. The theory that I support is Freud's, which is the one that stands out the most.

             Freud believes that our dreams are something that we have previously wished to come true. Freud also believes taht these wishes can go all the way back to our early childhood to fulfill something in our past. One idea I found to be very interesting was that while we dream nothing is being made up, it all comes from instincts and personal experiences which have all been biologically determined. Another interesting idea was Freud's theory of dream occurence. This theory states that dreams occur in "ego collapse", which is when the Id and the Superego close in upon the Ego.

             Most of Freud's theories are still supported today by well renowned psychologists, especially those dealing with the defense mechanisms our body uses while we dream. Dreams take place when we regress, repress, or deny things going on in our lives, which causes an interanl conflict. This conflict, in turn, makes dreams take place. Dreaming prevents people from building up intolerable states of tension while we are awake. So, if you become too emotional sleeping it off actually will help.

             This article has helped me to further my understanding of why we dream, even though there is not any way of knowing which theory is actually true. The big question is will we ever have proof to know why we really dream. No one may ever be able to prove it, but many take their ideas from the famous psychologists who already have beliefs and others don't even question why we dream. So, why we dream is still a mystery.