Final answer:
People dream due to innate biological necessities that help process stimuli and experiences into memories, with variations in cultural interpretations and significance. Theories such as the activation-synthesis propose dreams as a form of protoconsciousness, while other views align dreams with significant life events or access to the collective unconscious.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of why people dream is deeply rooted in human biology. Dreaming is a spontaneous biological process essential for maintaining brain health. It is hypothesized that this activity aids in processing daily stimuli and converting recent experiences into long-term memories. While the cultural significance of dreams varies, as seen in the Ojibwa traditions, the biological basis remains consistent.
Dreams can often appear as confusing narratives that need interpretation. The development of activation-synthesis theory by Alan Hobson, and updates to this theory, suggest that dreams may represent a state of protoconsciousness, creating a virtual reality that assists us during wakefulness. Jung's perspective offers a view into the collective unconscious, while Cartwright's empirical studies reflect dreams as representations of significant life events.
The symbolism in dreams often holds varying degrees of importance, highlighted by Freud's distinction between manifest and latent content. Despite these multifaceted interpretations, the underlying agreement is that dreaming is a complex phenomenon that plays a significant role in our psychological and physiological well-being.