Abstract
The Cognitive Processes Survey was presented and described in terms of standardization data and factor analysis. The instrument was used to assess sex differences in dream recall as a function of degree of imaginal life, orientation toward imaginal life, degree of suppression of feelings and number of dreams recalled weekly. Using a sample of 45 men and 45 women matched on age, family income, and grade point average in college, t tests indicated that women scored higher than men in all categories except suppression of feelings on which there was no difference. Point biserial correlations showed a similar pattern of significance. The findings support the hypothesis that there is continuity of some imaginal processes between waking and sleep. Sex differences on the variables tested were attributed to cultural and attitudinal factors. It was predicted that as sex-role stereotypes diminish, there should be a concomitant decrease in sex differences in dream recall and imaginal processes.
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