Theorizing about the continuity between waking and dreaming: Comment on Domhoff (2017).

Abstract

In his article "The Invasion of the Concept Snatchers: The Origins, Distortions, and Future of the Continuity Hypothesis," Domhoff ( 2017) advocated a cognitive version of the continuity hypothesis. This commentary challenges his claim that his deviations from the original continuity hypothesis formulated by Hall and Nordby (1972) are the only way to advance the theoretical framework of the continuity hypothesis. Furthermore, Domhoff's concepts are not well operationalized; that is, reliable instruments for measuring the occurrence, intensity, and time frame of personal concerns and preoccupations are lacking. As Domhoff selectively reported the empirical findings that support his notions, the commentary added further research that mostly favors the original version of the continuity hypothesis. The present article pleads for a multiplicity of theoretical and empirical approaches in dream research within the framework of the continuity hypothesis to further our understanding of the relationship between waking life and dreaming.

A Hypothesis About Parallelism vs. Seriality in Dreams

“…We now briefly consider the here proposed hypothesis from the points of view of the continuity theory, the plurality of dream meanings, and the respective role of conscious and unconscious items in dreams. The continuity theory states that close continuity exists between dreaming and waking life (see, e.g., Nielsen et al, 2004; Blagrove et al, 2011; Hobson and Schredl, 2011; Domhoff, 2017; Schredl, 2017). In particular, dream contents appear to be connected with important events in waking life (see, e.g., Perogamvros et al, 2013).…”

Nightmares in Children with FASD, ASD and Their Typically Developing Peers

“…This lack of association in the ASD group may also be due to the processes involved in emotional regulation and hypersensation. Higher emotional regulation difficulty is associated with higher nightmare frequency in light of the influence of waking intense emotions [61] and the theory of the adaptive emotion regulation function in dreaming [22]. Based upon these findings, emotion regulation difficulty could be the underlying factor for the nightmare frequency in the ASD group, in which difficulties in emotion regulation are well reported [28].…”

“…Early adverse experiences during sensitive windows can have a longlasting effect on nightmare frequency, that is, a trait variable maybe associated with sensory processing sensitivity and a trait marker encompassing increased emotional reactivity, greater depth of processing, and subtle awareness of environment stimuli. Experiences resulting from hypersensation can be distressful and contribute to the occurrence of nightmare according to the Continuity Hypothesis in which negative experiences in waking life transfer to dreaming , alongside intense negative emotions before sleep [61]. In addition, according to the nightmare theory of the selective mood regulatory function of dreaming [62], the occurrence of nightmares are due to the emotional surge in REM sleep that dreaming fails to adaptively regulate.…”

Work-Related Dreams: An Online Survey

“…The original formulation of the continuity hypothesis of dreaming [ 1 ] simply stated ‘that dreams are continuous with waking life (p. 104).’ The authors added that this continuity may be between dreams and covert behavior, or it may be between dreams and overt behavior, implying that waking-life experience (overt behavior) as well as waking thoughts and fantasies (covert behavior) can be incorporated into dreams. Whereas the theoretical discussion about what aspects of waking-life are more likely to be incorporated into dreams is still ongoing [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ], empirical dream research has focused on studying the factors that might affect the continuity between waking and dreams [ 8 ].…”