Abstract
Based on the Social Simulation Theory of dreaming (SST), we studied the effects of voluntary social seclusion on dream content and sleep structure. Specifically, we studied the Compensation Hypothesis, which predicts social dream contents to increase during social seclusion, the Sociality Bias - a ratio between dream and wake interactions - and the Strengthening Hypothesis, which predicts an increase in familiar dream characters during seclusion. Additionally, we assessed changes in the proportion of REM sleep. Sleep data and dream reports from 18 participants were collected preceding (n = 94), during (n = 90) and after (n = 119) a seclusion retreat. Data were analysed using linear mixed-effects models. We failed to support the Compensation Hypothesis, with dreams evidencing fewer social interactions during seclusion. The Strengthening Hypothesis was supported, with more familiar characters present in seclusion dreams. Dream social interactions maintained the Sociality Bias even under seclusion. Additionally, REM sleep increased during seclusion, coinciding with previous literature and tentatively supporting the proposed attachment function for social REM sleep.
Highlights
Mindreading has been considered a prime candidate to reflect the predictions of the Practise and Preparation hypothesis of the Social Simulation Theory (SST) of dreaming, which suggests dreams carry a social function by enabling the practice of relevant social skills during dreams (Revonsuo, Tuominen, & Valli, 2016a)
The Sociality Bias argues that for dreams to carry out a specific social function, they should be selectively biased towards social content compared to corresponding waking life
We focused on testing specific hypotheses of Social Simulation Theory of dreaming (SST): a strong version of the Compensation Hypothesis3 and studied the effects of social seclusion on dream content and sleep structure
Summary
SST proposes a similar mechanism for triggering social dream content to increase the likelihood to remain or be reincorporated into a social group This development borrows from Leary et al (1995) sociometer theory, where the level of group inclusion is internally monitored in the form of self-worth (Leary et al 1998). The social psychology literature suggests that whether the response is prosocial or hostile depends on the level of control the person perceives to have on the social judgement (Warburton, Williams, & Cairns, 2006) Given such psychological variables would seem to bear on the responses and – according to the SST – on the consequent social dream content, there have surprisingly been no studies on possible moderating or mediating effects of such factors as belongingness or mentalizing capacity, and only a few on the effects of depression (Langs, 1966). The strong form of the Compensation Hypothesis would state this process to be more direct, affected already by mere social isolation or exclusion without the threat of actual exclusion
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