Representation of Slef in SWS and REM dreams

The aim of this study was to compare the representation of self in REM and SWS dreams. Ninety volunteers slept two non-consecutive nights in the sleep laboratory under electropolygraphic control. They were awakened for one report per night. Awakenings were made, in counterbalanced order, from Slow Wave Sleep and Rapid Eye Movements sleep. Dream reports (90 SWS and 90 REM) were scored by independent judges as regards: a) length (according to temporal units); b) representation of self (according to a nominal eight-point scale). Results showed that: a) REM dream reports were significantly longer than SWS dream reports; b) the representation of Self in REM dream reports is quite similar to the waking experience of Self; c) the representation of Self in SWS dream reports presented a wide variety of characteristics (from a thinking agent or passive observer, to a waking-like Self experience); d) the differences between REM and SWS dream reports in representation of Self persisted independently of report length. Results are discussed referring to a cognitive model of dream production.