Dream Architectures Across the Imagery Spectrum: A Qualitative Study of Mental Imagery in Sleep and Wakefulness
Open MIND July 6, 2026 DOI: 10.17605/osf.io/qgnwd (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key findings | Proposes a qualitative approach to compare mental imagery across waking and dreaming states, aiming to identify common and distinct sensory modalities and to explore how low waking visual imagery may relate to autobiographical memory and dream perspective. |
Abstract
We aim to explore and qualitatively compare individuals’ experiences of mental imagery during waking and dreaming consciousness in order to understand how these states are similar and different in phenomenological structure, focusing on the sensory modalities that are different or common between states. Additionally, we seek to better understand how absent or low waking visual imagery might affect cognitive faculties traditionally linked to vision—in particular, the points of view from which people experience their autobiographical memories and dream selves. We will collect surveys and conduct semi-structured interviews to gather detailed narratives about participants’ experiences of mental imagery in multiple sensory modalities. Data will be analysed according to Braun & Clarke’s (2006; 2020) reflexive thematic analysis approach.