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How Often Do Adults Recall Their Dreams?

Steve Herman, W. Derek Shows

The International Journal of Aging and Human Development June 1, 1984 DOI: 10.2190/a3r8-c69h-13x5-p5v0 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Questionnaire survey Peer reviewed
Sample size 295
Population College-educated men and women aged 17 to 70
Topics Dreaming
Citations 32
Key findings Dream recall was maximal for both men and women during the college years and declined to a much lower level in the forties and beyond. The drop in recall frequency paralleled a declining interest in, and valuation of, dreaming among middle-aged and older adults.

Abstract

The question of age changes in frequency of dream recall was addressed in a questionnaire survey of 295 collage-educated men and women aged seventeen to seventy. Dream recall was found to be maximal for men and women alike during the college years, with a subsequent decline to a much lower level in the forties and beyond. The drop in recall frequency is paralleled by a declining interest in, and valuation of, dreaming among middle-aged and older adults.