SYNOPSISThe study was undertaken in order to test a dream-rating scale and to propose some modifications, especially for use in laboratory situations, where the effect of a given experimental factor is to be assessed on mental activity in sleep. Dreams collected from normal subjects under EEG monitoring were analysed in detail in order to establish definitions for each rating point of each dimension of the rating scale. The scoring of a second set of dreams by two judges using this scale resulted in an inter-rater agreement significantly above the level of chance agreement.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of flunitrazepam, a benzodiazepine with strong hypnotic properties, on dream content. Eight normal subjects were studied in laboratory by the awakening technique, and the dream contents were rated by two judges according to nine scaled dimensions: unreality, participation of the dreamer, pleasantness, unpleasantness, verbal aggressivity, physical aggressivity, sexuality, sensoriality and time of reference in the dreamer’s life. By comparison with placebo condition, flunitrazepam induced more unpleasantness, more verbal aggressivity, more physical aggressivity, and more sexuality in dreams. This increase of emotionally loaded contents can be related to a disinhibitory effect of this drug, and the possible involvement of dopaminergic or serotoninergic systems is discussed.

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À partir des affiches concernant deux affaires criminelles, l’auteur montre que le viol est traité avec beaucoup plus d’indulgence que le vol, bien que le traumatisme lié à l’agression soit considérablement plus important dans l’affaire la moins sévèrement présentée.