A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

‘No Man is an Island’: Effects of social seclusion on social dream content and REM sleep




AuthorsTuominen Jarno, Olkoniemi Henri, Revonsuo Antti, Valli Katja

PublisherWiley

Publication year2022

JournalBritish Journal of Psychology

Journal acronymBr J Psychol

Volume113

Issue1

First page 84

Last page104

eISSN2044-8295

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.12515

Web address https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjop.12515

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/58170463


Abstract

Based on the Social Simulation Theory of dreaming (SST), we studied the effects ofvoluntary social seclusion on dream content and sleep structure. Specifically, we studiedthe Compensation Hypothesis, which predicts social dream contents to increase duringsocial seclusion, the Sociality Bias – a ratio between dream and wake interactions – and theStrengthening Hypothesis, which predicts an increase in familiar dream characters duringseclusion. Additionally, we assessed changes in the proportion of REM sleep. Sleep dataand dream reports from 18 participants were collected preceding (n = 94), during(n = 90) and after (n = 119) a seclusion retreat. Data were analysed using linear mixed-effects models. We failed to support the Compensation Hypothesis, with dreamsevidencing fewer social interactions during seclusion. The Strengthening Hypothesis wassupported, with more familiar characters present in seclusion dreams. Dream socialinteractions maintained the Sociality Bias even under seclusion. Additionally, REM sleepincreased during seclusion, coinciding with previous literature and tentatively supportingthe proposed attachment function for social REM sleep.


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