Gender differences in dreaming: Are they stable over time?

Based on previous findings, the stability of gender differences in dream content over time has been studied. The present study included four representative samples from 1956 to 2000. For the two analyzed dream themes (work-related dreams, dreams of deceased persons), gender differences have been quite stable over time as has also been reported for the gender difference in dream recall frequency. In addition, the finding that men reported work-related dreams more often and that older persons reported more dreams of deceased persons clearly support the continuity hypothesis. The findings of the present study indicate that it is necessary to complement the data base of well-documented gender differences in young samples, e.g., men dream about physical aggression more often, by dream content analytic studies in larger representative samples.

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