I did not expect to be dreaming: Explaining realization in lucid dreams with a Bayesian framework.
Consciousness and cognition – August 01, 2021
Source: PubMed
Summary
A compelling insight reveals that lucid dreams may stem from genuine reasoning rather than mere realization. By analyzing 100 lucid dreamers, a Bayesian model was developed to explain how dreamers assess their situation based on beliefs about what is probable or improbable. This model highlights that the transition to lucidity involves conscious evaluation of one's state, suggesting that understanding dream cognition can enhance our grasp of lucid dreaming. This nuanced approach opens avenues for further exploration into the complexities of dream experiences.
Abstract
The commonsense view is that a lucid dream starts when the dreamer realizes that they are currently dreaming. The notion of realization, however, has been accepted at face value, with little consideration of whether the dreamer realizes that they are dreaming in the sense of actual reasoning, or if it is a mere epiphenomenon of lucid dream initiation. This article offers a solution to this problem by, first, arguing that the transition to lucidity can occur as a result of successful reasoning, and second, building a model of this reasoning in terms of probabilistic reasoning. The established Bayesian model explains realization in lucid dreams taking under consideration two factors: the beliefs that the dreamer holds on what is generally probable and improbable, and the dreamer's admissibility of being in a dream. Defended against important objections, the model offers an explanation of lucid dream initiation, relevant for future research on dreaming.