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Dissertation
Exploring the relationship between mindfulness in waking and lucidity in dreams
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
May 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3853
Abstract
The continuity theory of dreaming proposes that waking and dreaming rely on a shared set of brain-mind processes. Research in the fields of lucid dreaming and mindfulness suggest continuity of certain neurocognitive processes. Specifically, the high levels of attention, reflection, self-awareness, volition, and control which are hypothesized to be related to lucidity are presumed here to be continuous with waking mindfulness. This study aimed to investigate relationships between: 1) Mindfulness in waking and lucidity/mindfulness in dreaming; 2) Neuropsychological functions related to mindfulness and lucidity/mindfulness in dreaming; and 3) Neuropsychological functions and subjective mindfulness in waking. N = 44 participants completed measures of general and recent mindfulness skills and a battery of neuropsychological tests. Each morning for seven days following this initial assessment, participants rated their levels of lucidity, cognitive functioning, sensory and emotional intensity from their preceding night's dream. Relationships between waking mindfulness levels, neuropsychological functions, and dream variables were evaluated using a correlational design. Waking mindfulness did not account for a significant amount of variance in dream lucidity, but did account for a significant amount of variance in dream mindfulness. Correlations between dream lucidity and neuropsychological measures were not significant. However, better performances on two neuropsychological measures (sustained attention and behavioral self-monitoring) were moderately correlated with dream mindfulness. Also, general mindful awareness and recent mindful acceptance were positively associated with sustained attention and behavioral self-monitoring. Significant relationships found between waking mindfulness and dream mindfulness provide support for continuity theory. Mindfulness appears to be expressed in dreams to a degree that is consistent with recent and general levels of mindful awareness. The relationships between neuropsychological functions and dream mindfulness suggest a shared brain bases for attention and behavioral self-monitoring across dreaming and waking. The failure to find a relationship between lucidity and any of the variables assessed in waking in this study may be due to methodological limitations. Alternatively, while high levels of attention, reflection, volition, self-awareness, and control are often observed in lucid dreams, they may not be exclusive to lucid dreams.
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Details
- Title
- Exploring the relationship between mindfulness in waking and lucidity in dreams
- Creators
- Robert L. Rider - DU
- Contributors
- Mary Spiers (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3853; 991014632417504721