Effects of Presleep Procedures and Cognitive Style on Dream Content

Abstract

The REM period dream reports of two groups of Ss with different kinds of presleep experiences were examined with respect to laboratory references, overt references to E, pleasantness and unpleasantness of content, self-representation of the dreamer in his dreams and dream recall. Group 1 included 17 Ss who were not exposed to any special presleep procedure. Group 2 was composed of 27 Ss who underwent a half-hour presleep association period under conditions of partial sensory isolation which were anxiety provoking and focused Ss attention on laboratory procedures. Group 2 had more dreams related to the laboratory situation (lab dreams) and more unpleasant dreams. They were more often participants in their dreams and they recalled them less well than Group 1. Cognitive style was also a determinant of lab dreams and the participant-observer dimension of dream content.