Analyzing Modifications across Dream Reports

Abstract

Reports of 56 dreams from 5 subjects, given upon awakening during the second REMP, were analyzed and compared with a further 3 reports of each dream, obtained the following morning, 3 days, and 1 wk. later, using a system of Coding Units (CUs) and the Scoring System for Latent Structure of Foulkes. There were no significant differences between the second, third, and fourth reports, while the most important differences between the first and subsequent reports concerned: (a) a decrease in the number of CUs, words and sentences as indicated by the scoring; (b) a partial restructuring of the material, interpretable as secondary revision; (c) a decrease in the motivational component (interactive sentences) vs the cognitive component (associative sentences); (d) a decrease in the interactive sentences with Ego present in the text vs those without Ego present. Results are discussed in the light of interference and repression hypotheses.