Sex Differences in Dream Recall and Components of Imaginal Life

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The Cognitive Processes Survey was presented and described in terms of standardization data and factor analysis. The instrument was used to assess sex differences in dream recall as a function of degree of imaginal life, orientation toward imaginal life, degree of suppression of feelings and number of dreams recalled weekly. Using a sample of 45 men and 45 women matched on age, family income, and grade point average in college, t tests indicated that women scored higher than men in all categories except suppression of feelings on which there was no difference. Point biserial correlations showed a similar pattern of significance. The findings support the hypothesis that there is continuity of some imaginal processes between waking and sleep. Sex differences on the variables tested were attributed to cultural and attitudinal factors. It was predicted that as sex-role stereotypes diminish, there should be a concomitant decrease in sex differences in dream recall and imaginal processes.