Conscious use of dreams in waking life (nontherapy setting) for decision-making, problem-solving, attitude formation, and behavioral change.

Abstract

The study explored to what extent dreams have been perceived as being helpful in waking life. More specifically, for waking life (conscious) decisionmaking, the solving of emotional or nonemotional (practical/technical/work-related) problems, forming/changing an attitude about something or somebody, or a conscious behavioral change of the dreamer (N = 667). On a general level, 62,1% of participants indicated that dreams at some point had been of help or good use (regression analysis found a strong association with attitude, measured on Dream Attitude Scale [DAS]). Most often mentioned areas of help were creative input (55,8%) and emotional problem-solving (52,9%). There was a positive association between attitude (DAS) and emotional problem-solving and creative input. In all, 8.9% of participants reported that a dream had influenced an important decision (e.g., leaving a job, moving, buying a house, or leaving the partner). A regression analysis again indicated that a more positive attitude toward dreams (DAS) was associated with dreams influencing important decisions. Higher recall was also associated with all mentioned aspects. (Less)