Women recall more dreams and report richer imaginal lives than men, except for suppression of feelings, where no difference appears. In a sample of 45 women and 45 men matched on age, family income, and college GPA, women scored higher on dream recall frequency, degree of imaginal life, and orientation toward imaginal life. The findings indicate continuity between waking and sleeping imaginal processes. Sex differences are attributed to cultural and attitudinal factors, and the authors predict that as sex-role stereotypes diminish, sex differences in dream recall and imaginal processes will also decrease.
The relationship between dream recall and cognitive and imaginal factors was examined in 222 students. Those who recalled more dreams also reported richer imaginal lives and scored higher on a test of short-term memory. Orientation toward imaginal life was particularly strong among high dream recallers. Defensiveness did not appear to explain differences in dream recall. The findings suggest that dream recall may be improved by strengthening short-term memory and by engaging in activities that foster imagination, such as introspection, daydreaming, and meditation.