Individual differences in prophetic dream belief and experience: Exploring demographic and sleep-related correlates

• Published in: Personality and individual differences 2015-12, Vol.87, p.65-69
• Main Authors: Valášek, Milan, Watt, Caroline
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Individual differences; Paranormal belief; Precognitive dreams; Sleep characteristics
• ISSN: 0191-8869; 1873-3549
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2015.07.028

A large proportion of the general population believes that dreams can provide information about future events that could not have been obtained by any known means. The present study identifies several factors associated with prophetic (precognitive) dream belief and experience. Participants (N=672) were measured on demographic variables, sleep characteristics, and precognitive dream (PD) belief, experience, and frequency. Three ‘sleep clusters’ were identified based on the analysis of the sleep-related variables. Women were more likely to believe in PDs as well as experience them. There was a positive relationship of PD belief and experience with age and a negative one with education. Most notably, we found that a high frequency of PD experiences was associated with erratic sleep patterns and sleep medication use. The present study provides a basis for the development of further models explaining the prevalent phenomena of precognitive dream belief and experience. •A large proportion of the general population believes that dreams can predict future events.•We identify several factors associated with prophetic dream belief and experience.•Women were more likely to believe in PDs as well as experience them than men.•There was a positive relationship of PD belief and experience with age and a negative one with education.•We found that a high frequency of PD experiences was associated with erratic sleep patterns and sleep medication use.