Final answer:
The third theory of dreaming is often considered to be the Activation-Synthesis theory by Alan Hobson, which contrasts with the Biological view and the Psychoanalytical/Psychodynamic view by suggesting dreams result from the brain making sense of neural activity during REM sleep.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Third Theory of Dreaming:
The question refers to the third theory of dreaming, which, beyond the Biological view and Psychoanalytical/Psychodynamic view, can be the Activation-Synthesis theory developed by neuroscientist Alan Hobson. In this theory, dreaming results from the brain's effort to make sense of the random neural activity occurring during REM sleep. This is as opposed to the psychoanalytic view, such as Freud's belief that dreams provide insight into the unconscious or Jung's idea of the collective unconscious accessed through dreams. Hobson's theory has evolved to suggest that dreaming may reflect a state of protoconsciousness, constructing a virtual reality that can assist us in wakefulness.
Freud and Jung's psychoanalytical theories have been met with various criticisms, particularly for the difficulty in empirically validating the existence of the unconscious and the universal meaning of symbols in dreams. For instance, Freud's theory has been criticized for being subjective and not scientifically testable. In contrast, Cartwright's research, which posits that dreams reflect life events important to the dreamer, has found empirical support.
It is important to note that there are several other theories about dreaming as well, including the activation-synthesis theory and Cartwright's theory, and ongoing research continues to explore and challenge these varied perspectives on why we dream.