The relationship between video game play and threat simulation dreams.

Abstract

Revonsuo proposes an evolutionary theory of dreaming in which dreams allow an individual to prepare for real world threats in the safety of the virtual setting of the dream world. Based upon previous work examining the dreams of video game players, it was hypothesized that high-end gamers would experience fewer threat simulation dreams because of frequent threat resolution rehearsal during game play. Subjects were asked to report a night before dream and fill out surveys regarding their gaming history, media use, and dream experiences. Using a factor analysis, support for the main hypothesis was found. Individuals with a history of game play experienced fewer threat severity variables in their dreams.

The impact of digital media on health: children’s perspectives

“…I began to bitch at him''. Such cases are usually linked with others' behaviors which participants perceived as Cognitive salience describes vivid memory images which could stay in one's mind after online experiences (Gackenbach and Kuruvilla 2008). Experiences connected to these eidetic images include seeing sexual images, playing violent games, and viewing scary content.…”

“…Thus, future research should investigate how these problems impact non-addicted children. Gackenbach and Kuruvilla (2008) found that college students experience nightmares and bad dreams after online gaming. Related to these findings, our investigation suggests that various online content, not just gaming, influence sleep and dreams among younger children, particularly those between the ages of 9-11 years old.…”

“…Expanding to different technologies, Punamäki and colleague's (2007) study revealed that intensive mobile technology users experienced waking-time tiredness and other unhealthy sleeping habits, like sleeping late. Internet and computer game addicts also reported sleep quality issues, nightmares, and dreams with aggressive content (du Toit et al 2004;Gackenbach and Kuruvilla 2008;Van den Bulck 2004). Focusing on non-addicts, Choi et al (2009) found that Korean adolescents with greater internet usage experienced excessive daytime sleepiness.…”

Lucid dreaming incidence: A quality effects meta-analysis of 50 years of research

“…Additionally cultures where video-games are popular may also have higher reported lucid dreaming prevalence and frequency rates, as frequent video game play has been associated with lucid dreaming incidence (Gackenbach, 2006(Gackenbach, , 2009Gackenbach & Kuruvilla, 2008). Gackenbach & Hunt (2014) have proposed this may be due to significant parallels between game play and meditation and ultimately lucid dreaming.…”

Comparing the Effects of Real Versus Simulated Violence on Dream Imagery

“…[26][27][28] The Threat Simulation Theory states that there will be an increase in dreams with threat imagery that accompanies experiencing life-threatening situations, and this can be used as a survival technique. [29][30][31] With video games, it has been shown that virtual life-threatening situations do not elicit violent and aggressive dreams, 27 since there is frequent rehearsal of life-threatening situations with no real presence of danger. The Gackenbach and Kuruvilla 27 findings demonstrated that threat in dream imagery does not necessarily increase due to video game violence in the same manner as would be expected from real life threat (which involves both real danger to the individual, and is non-rehearsable).…”