Reorganisation Theory

Question 1

Who proposed this theory and when?

Answer 1

Crick and Mitchison (1983)

Question 2

What did they propose?

Answer 2

Proposed that ‘we dream in order to forget’

AKA the reverse learning theory

Question 3

They believed that we have two types of memory:

Answer 3

Adaptive – memories which have used to us, important information, skills etc.

Parasitic – memories which we have no use for and the brain discards of

Question 4

What does REM discard of?

Answer 4

Crick and Mitchison believe that REM is in charge of preventing these parasitic memories from forming and destroying those which have already formed.

Question 5

What happens while REM occurs?

Answer 5

While REM occurs, the brain’s major neural connections are shut down from the ‘outside world’

The brain stem (medulla) sends random but powerful stimuli to the cortex (explains the strange and erratic EEG patterns associated with REM.

The random stimuli eventually weaken neural connections in the brain, cutting off memories from one another.

Question 6

What do neural networks show?

Answer 6

Neural networks show that memories gather and can be reduced.

Question 7

Evidence

Answer 7

There are two types of mammals that are unable to REM sleep. The spiny anteater and the bottle-nosed dolphin

Both mammals have an abnormally large cortex and remember everything that they have ever seen and heard which may explain the need for a large cortex. They cannot get rid of unnecessary memories.

Question 8

Evaluation

Answer 8

Explains the purpose of REM sleep

How does our brain know which memories to keep and which to discard?

If our dreams are truly bizarre and random, why do they seem to have a narrative?

Based on computer science not human psychology