Observer dreams

Abstract

Numerous theories of dreaming consider embodied self-representation and participation in dream events as key features. However, past studies suggest that the dream self is absent or an uninvolved observer in more than 10% of adult rapid eye movement dreams. The current study first presents new criteria for observer dreams that are informed and illustrated by reports from adult dream series. Three types of observer status are described: I) no embodied self-representation, II) an essentially disembodied self that sees events from within the dream environment, and III) an embodied self that observes events virtually, often on TV. All types require observation of events or an activity with dynamic flow. The new criteria are then used to determine the frequencies of observer dreams in the laboratory and home dream reports from Hall and Van de Castle’s 1963—1964 University of Miami study. The overall percentage of observer dreams in the Miami reports was 13.1%, and Type I was the most frequent, comprising 8.0% of all dream reports. Mixed model analyses indicated no significant differences in the proportion of observer dreams, overall or for Types I-III, between laboratory and home reports. As is apparent from the reports used to illustrate the criteria, adult observer dreams can be similarly elaborate and have a comparable narrative structure to dreams with an embodied dream self who participates in events. This study’s findings suggest that observer dreams warrant greater consideration, including integration into theories of dreaming.