Aging and Memory for Dreams
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of aging on memory for home drams and the extent to which cognitive variables such as visual memory, visuospatial IQ, and verbal IQ could account for possible differences herein. Subjects were 80 men and women of ages 45 to 75 years. Memory for dreams was measured by narrative length and frequency of recall. With respect to both measures no significant age differences were noted. Over-all differences in dream recall seemed best explained by visual memory scores. Partial correlational analyses, however, indicated that the small age differences memory or on any of the other cognitive variables. Dream contents were scored for aggression, friendliness, emotion, activities, and the number of characters and objects. The incidence of emotions among women appeared to be lower beyond the age of 60. Comparisons with previous data for young adults indicated that large reductions in aggression, friendliness, and emotion occur before the age of 45.
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There is a strong positive correlation between visual memory measures and dream length, but not with dream recall frequency.
“the authors found a strong positive correlation between visual memory measures and dream length, but not with dream recall frequency.131”
From Spotlight on dream recall: the ages of dreams (2018) · cites this paper as [131]
Quantitative features of home-collected dreams in elderly people (61-75 years) compared to middle-aged adults (45-60 years) did not show any age effect.
“quantitative features of home-collected dreams in elderly people (61–75 years) compared to middle-aged adults (45–60 years) did not show any age effect.131”
From Spotlight on dream recall: the ages of dreams (2018) · cites this paper as [131]
Dream narrative length and frequency of dream recall showed no significant differences on either measure of recall comparing the ages of 45 and 75 years.
“dream narrative length and frequency of dream recall showed no significant differences on either measure of recall comparing the ages of 45 and 75 years.131”
From Spotlight on dream recall: the ages of dreams (2018) · cites this paper as [131]
The results of a relationship between visual memory and dream length reported by Waterman, as well as the indirect link between dream recall decline and declarative memory addressed by Nielsen, strengthen the hypothesis of parallel development of cognitive performance and qualitative/quantitative features of dream reports across the life span.
“the results of a relationship between visual memory and dream length reported by Waterman,131 as well as the indirect link between dream recall decline and declarative memory addressed by Nielsen,72 strengthen the hypothesis of parallel development of cognitive performance and qualitative/quantitative features of dream reports across the life span.”
From Spotlight on dream recall: the ages of dreams (2018) · cites this paper as [131]
There is a reduced dream recall frequency in elderly people after provoked awakenings, as compared to younger subjects.
“the actual finding of a reduced dream recall frequency in elderly people after provoked awakenings, as compared to younger subjects,131,142”
From Spotlight on dream recall: the ages of dreams (2018) · cites this paper as [131]
Cites
Individual Differences in Memory for Dreams: The Role of Cognitive Skills
Butler, S. F., & Watson, R. (1985) · Perceptual and Motor Skills · doi:10.2466/pms.1985.61.3.823 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
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Factors of home dream recall: a structural equation model
Schredl, M., Wittmann, L., Ciric, P., & GÖtz, S. (2003) · Journal of Sleep Research · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2869.2003.00344.x · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Variations in Dream Recall Frequency and Dream Theme Diversity by Age and Sex
Nielsen, T. (2012) · Frontiers in Neurology · doi:10.3389/fneur.2012.00106 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Mental Sleep Activity and Disturbing Dreams in the Lifespan
Scarpelli, S., Bartolacci, C., D’Atri, A., Gorgoni, M., & De Gennaro, L. (2019) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph16193658 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
“However, other studies showed that this age-related reduction in dream recall seems already reduced in first and middle adulthood [64,204,208], and no di ff erences occurred between middle-aged and older adults [64,209].”
Plailly, J., Villalba, M., Vallat, R., Nicolas, A., & Ruby, P. (2019) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-019-51497-y · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Spotlight on dream recall: the ages of dreams
Mangiaruga, A., Scarpelli, S., Bartolacci, C., & De Gennaro, L. (2018) · Nature and Science of Sleep · doi:10.2147/nss.s135762 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
“collected dreams in elderly people (61–75 years) compared to middle-aged adults (45–60 years) did not show any age effect.(131)”
BackgroundInfluentialSCHREDL, M. (1995) · The Journal of Creative Behavior · doi:10.1002/j.2162-6057.1995.tb01420.x · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Does the Circadian Modulation of Dream Recall Modify with Age?
Laxhmi, C. S., Münch, M., Blatter, K., Knoblauch, V., & Cajochen, C. (2009) · SLEEP · doi:10.1093/sleep/32.9.1201 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Ultradian and circadian modulation of dream recall: EEG correlates and age effects
Chellappa, S. L., & Cajochen, C. (2013) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2013.03.006 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Dream recall frequency is associated with attention rather than with working memory abilities
Blain, S., de la Chapelle, A., Caclin, A., Bidet‐Caulet, A., & Ruby, P. (2022) · Journal of Sleep Research · doi:10.1111/jsr.13557 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
- Authors
- Waterman, D.
- Affiliations
- University of Amsterdam (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Waterman, D.
- Venue
- Perceptual and Motor Skills
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1991-10
- Volume
- 73
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 355-365
- ISSN
- 0031-5125 (ISSN-L)
- 1558-688X
- OpenAlex
- W1981529272
- Cited by
- 51
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.46
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Perceptual and Motor Skills (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Keywords
- aging, dream recall, dream memory, visual memory, verbal IQ, dream content, gender differences, older adults
- MeSH terms
- Aggression, Aging, Dreams, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Motor Activity, Neuropsychological Tests, Mental Recall, Social Behavior
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