Dement and Kleitman (Sleep & Dreams) Flashcards
Psychology Being Investigate
- Sleep
- Ultradian Rhythms
- Dreams
Aims
- Dream recall in REM vs. non-REM.
- Link between dream length estimation and REM period.
- Relationship between eye movement pattern and dream content.
- Correlation between REM length and words in dream narrative.
Research Methodology
Used experiment and correlation.
Qualitative data collected via interviews.
Independent variables in three aims; correlation in the fourth.
Post-dream recall interviews conducted occasionally.
Design and Variable: Aim 1
IV: REM or non-REM.
DV: Dream content recall.
Design and Variable: Aim 2
IV: 5 or 15 minutes.
DV: Dream length estimation.
Design and Variable: Aim 3
IV: Eye movement pattern.
DV: Dream description.
Design and Variable: Aim 4
Co-variable 1: REM duration.
Co-variable 2: Words in dream narrative.
Sample
- 7 males, 2 females (9 participants).
- 5 intensively studied (6-17 nights), 4 for confirmation (1-2 nights).
- Study in a University of Chicago sleep laboratory.
Participant’s Instructions
- Arrive before regular bedtime.
- Maintain a normal diet, avoid caffeine and alcohol on the experiment day.
Recording Devices & Placement
- EOG records eye movements
- EEG records brain waves for REM/non-REM determination
- Two near eyes (EOG) and two or three on the scalp (EEG).
Procedure when taken to bed
- Led to a dark, quiet room.
- Wires secured to prevent tangling.
- EEG operational in an adjacent room throughout the night.
- Had a doorbell beside their bed, loud enough to wake them up
Awakenings During the Night
- Awakened during REM and non-REM stages.
- Loud doorbell ensures waking during any sleep stage.
- Questioned about dream experience upon awakening.
- Instructed to describe dream content using a recording device.
- Encouraged to return to sleep.
Example of Dream Content and Eye Movement
- Vertical Eye Movement: looking at climbers on a cliff, climbing a ladder, throwing a basketball.
- Horizontal Eye Movement: watching two people throwing tomatoes at each other.
- Mixed Eye Movement: talking to a group of people, searching for something, fighting with someone
- Little to No Eye Movement: driving a car
Results: Aim 1
Dream recall more in REM (152/191) than non-REM (11/160).
Results: Aim 2
- Participants accurately distinguished dream duration.
- Guessed 5 minutes correctly 88% of the time (45/51).
- Guessed 15 minutes correctly 78% of the time (47/60).