A replication of the 5-7day dream-lag effect with comparison of dreams to future events as control for baseline matching

Mark Blagrove*, Josie Henley-Einion, Amanda Barnett, Darren Edwards, C. Heidi Seage

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The dream-lag effect refers to there being, after the frequent incorporation of memory elements from the previous day into dreams (the day-residue), a lower incorporation of memory elements from 2 to 4. days before the dream, but then an increased incorporation of memory elements from 5 to 7. days before the dream. Participants (n= 8, all female) kept a daily diary and a dream diary for 14. days and then rated the level of matching between every dream report and every daily diary record. Baseline matching was assessed by comparing all dream reports to all diary records for days that occurred after the dream. A significant dream-lag effect for the 5-7. day period, compared to baseline and compared to the 2-4. day period, was found. This may indicate a memory processing function for sleep, which the dream content may reflect. Participants' and three independent judges' mean ratings also confirmed a significant day-residue effect.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)384-391
Number of pages8
JournalConsciousness and Cognition
Volume20
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Aug 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Day-residue
  • Dream content
  • Dream-lag
  • Dreaming
  • Functions of dreaming
  • Functions of sleep
  • Memory
  • Memory consolidation

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