Spatio-temporal displacement and expression of feeling in dreams of emotionally expressive persons

Kuiken, Don; Powell, Russell A.

Spatio-temporal displacement and expression of feeling in dreams of emotionally expressive persons

Author

Kuiken, Don

Powell, Russell A.

Date

1980

Keywords

displacement (defense mechanism), dream content, dreaming, emotional content, emotions, emotionality (personality)

Abstract (summary)

Examined the relationship of expression of feeling during waking to expression of feeling and spatio-temporal displacement in dreams. 41 undergraduates, each of whom collected either 1 or 2 dreams at home, rated their dreams for expression of feeling, familiarity, and time passed since last experience with selected dream features. Ss then completed the Personal Orientation Inventory. An independent judge's ratings of expression of feeling in dreams was also obtained. Contrary to expectations, no significant correlations were found between the indices of expression of feeling (feeling reactivity, spontaneity, aggression) and either the Ss' or the judge's ratings of such expression in dreams. Further, the inventory indices of expression of feeling correlated positively and significantly with spatio-temporal displacememt in dreams. These results contradict the theory of R. Corriere et al (see record 1978-22405-001 ) according to which expression of feeling is inversely related to spatio-temporal displacement in dreams. An alternative hypothesis implicates expression of feeling in the process of integrating recent events with more remote memories.

Publication Information

Kuiken, D., & Powell, R. A. (1980). Spatio-temporal displacement and expression of feeling in dreams of emotionally expressive persons. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 51, 455-461.