A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Social contents in dreams: An empirical test of the Social Simulation Theory




AuthorsTuominen Jarno, Stenberg Tuula, Revonsuo Antti, Valli Katja

PublisherElsevier

Publication year2019

JournalConsciousness and Cognition

Journal acronymConsc Cog

Volume69

First page 133

Last page145

Number of pages13

ISSN1053-8100

eISSN1090-2376

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2019.01.017

Web address https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053810017302283?dgcid=author

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/39204634


Abstract

Social Simulation Theory (SST) considers the function of dreaming to be the simulation of social events. The Sociality Bias and the Strengthening hypotheses of SST were tested. Social Content Scale (SCS) was developed to quantify social events. Additionally, we attempted to replicate a previous finding (McNamara et al., 2005, Psychological Science) of REM dreams as predisposed to aggressive , and NREM dreams to prosocial interactions. Further, we investigated the frequency and quality of interactions in late vs early REM and NREM dreams. Data consisted of wake, REM and NREM home dream reports (N = 232, 116, 116, respectively) from 15 students. Dreams overrepresented social events compared to wake reports, supporting the Sociality Bias hypothesis. However, the Strengthening Hypothesis was not supported. We weren't able to replicate the McNamara et al. finding, and no time of night effect was found. While SST gained partial support, further research on social contents in dreams is required .


Downloadable publication

This is an electronic reprint of the original article.
This reprint may differ from the original in pagination and typographic detail. Please cite the original version.





Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 22:55