Cultural Influence on Dreamscapes: Unveiling Emotional Variations

A study comparing the dreams of forager communities in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo with those of Western individuals reveals that cultural environments heavily influence dream functions. The dreams of the forager communities often depict threatening scenarios but end with a resolution, highlighting the importance of social support and community bonds. In contrast, dreams in Western populations lack a cathartic emotional resolution. The study suggests that there is a close connection between the function of dreams and the societal norms and values of each specific society studied. However, the exact causal relationship between dreams and daytime functioning remains unclear.