AGE-CHANGES IN DREAM-RECALL IN ADULTHOOD

Dream recall was measured retrospectively with the Night Dreaming Scal e of the Imaginal Processes Inventory. Evidence supports a high degree of correspondence among methods which assess dreaming frequency. A cr oss-sectional sample (17-92 years old, n = 2328) found fewer dreams re called with increasing age. Women recalled move dreams and showed a le ss vapid decrease in frequency than men. Longitudinal changes (n = 333 ) over 6 to 8 years were not wholly consistent with cross-sectional ag e differences. We found many fewer recalled dreams in senescence. Howe ver, the reduction in recalled dreams began well before senescence. Ex planations based on dream saliency, long- and short-term memory failur e, levels of REM sleep, and degree of spontaneous information processi ng were considered.