Question

Forty-year-old Lance insists that he never dreams. Research suggests that he probably ________.

1) would report a vivid dream if he were awakened during REM sleep
2) dreams during stage 4 rather than during REM sleep
3) experiences more stage 4 sleep than most people
4) passes through the sleep cycle much more rapidly than most people

Answer 1

Lance likely does dream, but he does not remember his dreams because they occur during REM sleep, which is characterized by brain activity similar to wakefulness and is the stage where dreaming typically happens.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lance, who insists he never dreams, probably would report a vivid dream if he were awakened during REM sleep. REM sleep is characterized by rapid eye movement and brain wave activity that is very similar to when a person is awake. It is also the stage of sleep in which dreaming typically occurs.

Individuals do not ordinarily remember their dreams unless they are awakened during the REM phase of their sleep cycle. In contrast, Stage 4 sleep, which is part of non-REM sleep, is characterized by slow-wave sleep and is less associated with dreaming. Research has shown that everyone dreams, but not everyone remembers their dreams. Hence, the likelihood is that Lance does dream, but simply does not recall the dreams upon waking.