Instrumental responding to internal cues associated with REM sleep

Abstract

This paper examined sleeping Ss’ ability to discriminate and respond to internal cues associated with REM sleep. Ss were instructed to press a switch, taped to their hands, four times as soon as they started dreaming. Improvement in performance was obtained when Ss were placed on an avoidance paradigm such that response failure resulted in awakening. A preliminary attempt was made to formulate the findings in terms of a motivational context. It was concluded that sleeping Ss can perform an instrumental response to cues associated with REM sleep. © 1970, Psychonomic Journals, Inc.. All rights reserved.