The Effect of “Waking-Dreaming” on Creativity and Rote Memory

Abstract

A simulated dreaming state (“waking-dreaming”) was induced in waking subjects in order to test whether it has similar effects as dreaming on creativity and on memory. Previous studies have shown that dreaming enhances creativity, but hinders memory of material acquired by rote-learning. The method of inducing waking-dreaming was suggested by Lewin's model for classifying cognitive processes, and was adapted from Barbaer and Wilson's “hypnotic induction, mental relaxation, and permissive suggestions” technique. Results show that waking-dreaming does effect creativity and memory similarly to the way that dreaming does. The major impact is on ongoing mental activities (when creativity and memory tasks were given before manipulating the waking-dreaming state); however, some weaker effect is discernible also when tasks are given after such manipulation. The effect on creativity was on originality and on total creativity measures, but not on fluency, indicating that waking-dreaming affects not speed of production, but rather a deeper level of creativity processing. These results may shed light on the phenomenon of incubation in problem solving and may also clarify recent inconsistencies in research on the effect of bizarre imagery on memory.