The Psychological Content of Lucid versus Nonlucid Dreams

Gackenbach, Jayne

doi:10.1007/978-1-4757-0423-5_9

Cited by 34 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Holzinger, LaBerge, and Levitan (2006) compared the electrophysiological differences between lucid and ordinary (nonlucid) dreams and linked lucid dreams with greater activity in both parietal lobes. Gackenbach (1988) examined the psychological differences between lucid and nonlucid dreams and, considering the vast number of variables tested, found surprisingly few significant differences. Auditory and kinesthetic sensations were deemed more prevalent in lucid dreams, as was cognitive activity.…”

Section: Introduction To Lucid Dreamingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cerebral specialization during lucid dreaming: A right hemisphere hypothesis.

Piller

2009

Dreaming

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Research has shown that certain individuals are able to carry out prearranged tasks while lucid dreaming, and that these tasks produce physiological effects on the body similar to what is observed during waking. It was hypothesized that the difficulty of performing cerebrally lateralized tasks in a lucid dream would reflect similarities that have been observed between reported experiences of lucid dreaming and the dominant functions of the right hemisphere. Twenty-seven participants rated the difficulty of performing three analogous pairs of left hemisphere (LH) and right hemisphere (RH) tasks, first in a lucid dream, and later in their waking imagination. For two of the task pairs, right-handed participants found the lucid LH task harder than both the lucid RH task and the imagined LH task. For the other task pair, the lucid LH task was easier than the lucid RH task, though still harder than the imagined LH task. Effects were always stronger among right-handed participants. Furthermore, dream reports accounted for the discrepancy between ratings for the task pairs, confirming the right hemisphere dominance hypothesis.

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Section: Introduction To Lucid Dreamingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cerebral specialization during lucid dreaming: A right hemisphere hypothesis.

Piller

2009

Dreaming

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“…Of the 571 participants, 18.2% reported the emergence of lucidity to be spontaneous, 17.2% reported it to be nightmare-induced, 8.41% through recurring dreams, and 5.08% via the identification of peculiarities within the dream. These triggers bear much similarity to Gackenbach's (1982Gackenbach's ( , 1988 triggers that included nightmares and the identification of a 'dream-like' quality or of inconsistencies, which could fall under the category of 'peculiarities'. Additionally, there is further evidence for lucid dreams emerging from nightmares (Schädlich & Erlacher, 2012;Voss, Frenzel, Koppehele-Gossel, & Hobson, 2012;Wolpin, Marston, Randolph, & Clothier, 1992).…”

Section: Examining the Triggers Of Lucid Insightmentioning

confidence: 66%

Examining the triggers of lucid insight.

Adams

Bourke

2020

Dreaming

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Approximately half the population have experienced a lucid dream. Yet, it is not well understood how an individual realises they are dreaming (i.e. lucid insight). A few studies suggest it can be triggered by a nightmare, or by the identification of inconsistencies/dream-like qualities/peculiarities. The present study aimed to produce a detailed typology of lucidity triggers to inform consideration of the nature of associated thought processes. 91 lucid dreamers were identified in an undergraduate sample of 148. Lucid dreamers were asked to describe what it was, if anything, that had made them realise they were dreaming. Thematic analysis of responses extracted evidence of four overarching triggers consistent with previous research: identification of an abnormality, identification of a dream-like quality, an emotionally-arousing dream event, and miscellaneous. It was uniquely identified that 'abnormalities' within the dream were those inconsistent with waking knowledge rather than with the accompanying dream content. Novel triggers were identified that were classifiable as subthemes under the previously-identified triggers, and triggers co-occurred in a third of cases. Novel triggers included 'déjà rêvé', the feeling that one has dreamt the experience before, as well as 'self-comfort/denial' involving an emotionally-driven denial of the reality of a distressing dream. Nightmare-induced lucidity appeared to arise via qualitatively diverse paths: via self-comfort/denial and/or via the identification of abnormalities/dream-like qualities. The nature of the triggers indicates that higher-order cognition can precede, and promote, lucid insight. This sheds light on a key theoretical issue of whether lucid insight is a prerequisite for the re-emergence of higher-order cognition.

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“…Gackenbach (1988) found that lucid dreams are characterized by a strong sense of control. In Wolpin et al (1992), higher degree of control in lucid dreams was related to subjective wellbeing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Lucid dreaming and resilience in the face of exposure to terrorism

Soffer‐Dudek

Wertheim

Shahar

2011

Journal of Traumatic Stress

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The relationship between resilience and lucid dreams, which involves awareness of the experience of dreaming, was examined in 79 Israeli young adults. Psychological distress and lucid dreams 3 years prior to exposure to terrorism, and exposure levels and psychological distress 1 week following exposure, were assessed. Both indirect exposure through media and perceived stress predicted an increase in distress during the 3-year interval under low, but not high, levels of lucid dreams. Possible mechanisms are discussed.

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The Psychological Content of Lucid versus Nonlucid Dreams

Cited by 34 publications

References 5 publications

Cerebral specialization during lucid dreaming: A right hemisphere hypothesis.

Cerebral specialization during lucid dreaming: A right hemisphere hypothesis.

Examining the triggers of lucid insight.

Lucid dreaming and resilience in the face of exposure to terrorism

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