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Cognitive Differences in Dream Content Between Japanese Males and Females Using Quantitative Content Analysis

This study asked the question, “Are there significant content differences between male and female dream reports obtained in dream seminars conducted in Japan?” Each of the 100 female and 100 male research participants contributed 1 recent dream report during dream seminars that were held in Japan between 1990 and 1998 and in 2004. Dream reports were scored using Hall and Van de Castle’s (1966) system of content analysis. Major findings showed that Japanese males dreamed much more of male characters, whereas Japanese females dreamed more equally of female and male characters, a finding in line with Hall’s (1984) “ubiquitous sex difference” (p. 1109). Japanese females were also friendlier with other females, not other males, an uncommon finding (Domhoff, 1996). Results are discussed in terms of Hall’s (1953) continuity hypothesis and Domhoff’s (1996, 2003) cognitive model of dreaming (i.e., dreaming is a cognitive process and is based on the same conceptions and concerns as in the waking cognition). The findings illuminate some underlying cultural patterns of the contemporary roles of Japanese men and women. Future researchers should consider gender and socioeconomic status to better represent Japan’s social–economic diversity and obtain more dreams per participant to better represent the totality of participants’ dream lives.