Unlocking Empathy: Swansea University Pioneers the Social Science of Dream Sharing

Swansea, UK – For centuries, dreams have been considered a window into the individual psyche, a private theatre of the mind. However, groundbreaking research emerging from Swansea University in the United Kingdom is challenging this solitary view, revealing that the act of sharing and discussing dreams holds profound personal and, more notably, social benefits, particularly in fostering empathy. A series of studies led by Dr. Mark Blagrove and Dr. Julia Lockhart demonstrates that engaging with another’s dream narrative can deepen understanding, build connection, and even cultivate empathy towards the dreamer, shifting our perception of dreams from purely internal phenomena to powerful tools for interpersonal bonding.

The research group has published several seminal papers over the past few years, systematically exploring the mechanisms and outcomes of dream sharing. Their findings underscore not only the personal insights individuals gain from discussing their nocturnal experiences but also the tangible enhancement of social empathy, particularly when friends or partners engage with each other’s dreams. This compelling body of work suggests that dreams are not merely for the dreamer but can serve as a unique bridge between conscious minds, offering a novel pathway to social connection and mutual understanding.

The Ullman Dream Appreciation Technique: A Structured Approach to Insight

While various methods exist for dream discussion, the Swansea University studies consistently employed the Ullman Dream Appreciation Technique. This structured approach, a cornerstone of their research, differentiates itself from traditional interpretive methods by focusing on collaborative exploration rather than definitive pronouncements. Its aim is to allow the dreamer to uncover their own meanings through the mirror of others’ responses, fostering a sense of ownership over the insights gained.

The Ullman method, which Dr. Blagrove has previously detailed, involves a series of carefully orchestrated steps designed to facilitate self-discovery and shared understanding without imposing external interpretations. The process typically unfolds as follows:

Dreamer Shares the Dream: The individual whose dream is being discussed recounts their dream in as much detail as possible, often encouraged to present it as if it were happening in the present moment.
Listeners Offer "If It Were My Dream" Associations: Participants listening to the dream are invited to share their own feelings, thoughts, and associations that arise from hearing the dream, but crucially, they phrase these as "If it were my dream, I might feel…" or "If it were my dream, this image might remind me of…" This ensures that the focus remains on the listener’s internal experience and avoids directly telling the dreamer what their dream "means."
Dreamer Listens Without Comment: During this phase, the dreamer’s primary role is to listen attentively to the associations offered by others. They refrain from commenting, correcting, or explaining, allowing the various perspectives to wash over them. This creates a safe space for diverse interpretations and prevents the dreamer from feeling defensive or obligated to agree.
Dreamer Identifies Resonances: After the listeners have shared their associations, the dreamer reflects on what has been said. They then identify which comments, images, or feelings resonated most strongly with them, feeling "true" or particularly insightful. The key here is personal resonance, not necessarily intellectual agreement with an interpretation.
Open Discussion and Exploration: Only after the dreamer has identified their personal resonances does a more open discussion commence. This phase allows for deeper exploration of the insights gained, connections to waking life, and further reflection on the dream’s personal significance.

This non-authoritative, collaborative process is central to the observed benefits, empowering the dreamer while engaging listeners in a deeply empathetic act of imaginative projection.

Chronology of Discovery: From Personal Insight to Social Empathy

The journey of discovery began with a focus on individual gains, gradually expanding to encompass the powerful social dimensions of dream sharing.

2015: Unveiling Personal Insight

An early cornerstone of this research, published in 2015, established the efficacy of dream discussion for personal insight. In this study, participants underwent an Ullman dream discussion with two experimenters, meticulously following the technique’s guidelines. Following the discussion, participants completed the "Gains From Dream Interpretation" questionnaire, a tool designed to measure various aspects of self-understanding derived from the process.

The pivotal aspect of this study involved a comparative analysis: participants discussed a recent dream versus a recent daydream, with the latter serving as a control condition. The results were clear and compelling: discussions centered around dreams were consistently associated with significantly higher gains in personal insight compared to those about daydreams. These insights encompassed a range of revelations, including statements such as, "I learned what the dream (or daydream) meant for me personally," "I learned about issues in my waking life," and "I learned things that I would not have thought of on my own." This initial finding firmly laid the groundwork, demonstrating that dreams possess a unique capacity to unlock self-understanding, a quality not equally shared by conscious imaginings.

2019: Connecting Empathy to Dream-Sharing Habits

Building on the foundation of personal insight, the research then pivoted towards the social fabric of dream sharing. A paper published in 2019 delved into the fundamental question of whether a person’s inherent capacity for empathy – their "trait empathy" – is linked to their habits concerning dreams. Trait empathy refers to an individual’s general disposition to experience and express empathy, a stable personality characteristic.

Through a comprehensive survey of 160 participants, the researchers uncovered a significant correlation: individuals who exhibited higher levels of trait empathy also reported more frequent engagement in dream-related activities. This included telling their dreams to others, actively listening to others’ dreams, and recalling their own dreams more often. Essentially, the study suggested a symbiotic relationship: those with a greater natural inclination towards empathy were also more likely to participate in the social ritual of dream sharing, hinting at an underlying connection between empathetic personality traits and the propensity to engage with the dream world, both personally and interpersonally.

2019: The Direct Impact on Empathy Towards the Dreamer

The same pivotal 2019 paper contained a second, even more direct investigation into the social benefits of dream sharing. This study specifically aimed to measure changes in "state empathy"—the transient, situation-specific feelings of empathy one experiences at a given moment—as a direct result of a dream discussion.

For this experiment, 27 pairs of participants were recruited, tasked with sharing and discussing dreams with each other over the course of the study. Before and after each dream discussion, participants rated their state empathy towards their partner. The findings were striking: it was specifically the person who was listening to and discussing their partner’s dream who experienced a measurable increase in empathy towards the dream sharer. This increase manifested as greater agreement with statements like, "I can relate to what my friend or partner is going through" and "I can feel my partner’s emotions." This demonstrated a direct causal link: the act of listening to and engaging with another’s dream narrative actively cultivates a deeper sense of empathy for that individual. The dream, in this context, served as a conduit, allowing the listener to step into the dreamer’s shoes and connect with their emotional landscape on a profound level.

2021: Targeting Empathy in Low-Baseline Individuals

The most recent paper, published in 2021, provided an even more nuanced understanding of empathy enhancement. This study involved 23 participant pairs who completed a series of four dream discussions over a two-week period. Participants completed an empathy scale at baseline, prior to any discussions, and again after the final discussion two weeks later.

For the analysis, participants were strategically divided into two groups based on their initial baseline empathy scores: a low-baseline empathy group and a high-baseline empathy group. The results revealed a particularly compelling finding: the increase in empathy over the course of the study was most pronounced among the dream discussers in the low-baseline empathy group. In other words, individuals who typically reported lower levels of empathy showed the most significant gains in empathy towards their partners after engaging in these structured dream discussions. This finding is profoundly significant, suggesting that dream sharing is not just beneficial for those already inclined to empathy but can actively cultivate it in individuals who might otherwise struggle with empathetic connection. It positions dream sharing as a potentially powerful intervention for fostering social understanding across a wider spectrum of individuals.

The Empathy Theory of Dreaming: A New Paradigm

Collectively, these studies lay the foundation for what Dr. Blagrove terms the "empathy theory of dreaming." This theory posits that a crucial function of human dreaming consciousness extends beyond individual emotional and cognitive processing (the "within-sleep" functions traditionally studied). Instead, it proposes that the rich content and compelling narratives of dreams are inherently designed to be shared and engaged with by others. This engagement, in turn, yields profound "second-person, social benefits," fostering connection and understanding that transcends the solitary experience of the dream itself.

In Dr. Blagrove’s own words, "A function of human and dreaming consciousness could thus be that its content and narratives can be passed to and engaged with by others, resulting in second person, social benefits and not just experienced in the first person for emotional and cognitive processes." This perspective challenges the long-held notion that dreams primarily serve an individual’s internal needs, suggesting they also play a vital role in our social architecture. The empathy theory emphasizes that by exploring dream narratives together, individuals in the waking world can come to appreciate the life circumstances, emotional states, and even vulnerabilities of a dreamer. This shared exploration creates a unique pathway to mutual understanding and strengthened bonds, making the unconscious a surprising ally in building a more empathetic society.

From Laboratory to Public Square: DreamsID Events

The theoretical insights gleaned from these rigorous studies have not remained confined to academic journals. Dr. Mark Blagrove and Dr. Julia Lockhart have actively translated their research into innovative public engagement initiatives, most notably through their "DreamsID" (Dreams Illustrated and Discussed) events. These unique public dream-sharing sessions offer a novel platform to combine the science and the art of dreaming, bringing the personal and social benefits of dream sharing directly into public spaces.

At these captivating events, an individual volunteers to share their dream with the audience. Dr. Blagrove, acting as the facilitator, guides the dreamer and the audience through an Ullman discussion, inviting collective exploration and association. Simultaneously, Dr. Julia Lockhart, a distinguished artist, performs a live visual interpretation of the dream. Her canvases are often pages from Sigmund Freud’s iconic Interpretation of Dreams book, a symbolic gesture that acknowledges the historical foundations of dream analysis while simultaneously pushing its boundaries into contemporary, collaborative, and artistic realms. This multi-sensory approach creates an immersive experience, making the abstract world of dreams tangible and accessible, while reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the Ullman technique. The blend of psychological inquiry, public participation, and live art fosters a unique environment for both personal reflection and collective empathy.

Real-World Relevance: Dreams and Social Isolation

The profound social implications of dream sharing became particularly salient during periods of heightened social isolation, such as the COVID-19 lockdowns. The DreamsID team adapted their approach to virtual events, demonstrating the enduring need for connection through shared experiences. During one such virtual event, a participant shared a poignant dream that vividly illustrated the themes of isolation and connection:

"I am walking alone in the country, trying to get to a village. I am wearing a red skirt and red jacket. The short route to the village isn’t possible as the sea is coming over the path. The longer route is difficult and involves climbing and takes energy. I go across a thin rope-and-wood bridge, and ignore the advice of a group of people who I don’t know to take the dangerous short route. I am alone and look at the remote village. I am then at my destination, in a big hall, the sort of venue a wedding would be held in. My friend P is there, she is wearing a thin black dress and tells me her favourite music is the waltz. She tells me my friends are going to be there and a crowd of people start dancing to a waltz." (DreamsID.com)

This dream serves as a powerful testament to the human experience of social isolation in its initial scene—the solitary journey, the dangerous path, the remote village, and the ignored advice of strangers. The shift to the second scene, however, offers a stark contrast: arrival at a celebratory destination, the presence of a dear friend, the promise of more friends, and the joy of collective dancing. Sharing and discussing such a dream in waking life, especially during a time of widespread social isolation like the COVID-19 lockdowns, could have provided invaluable social connection and empathy for the dreamer. The act of others engaging with her narrative, understanding her journey from isolation to connection within the dream, would undoubtedly have reinforced feelings of being seen, heard, and understood, offering a crucial psychological balm against loneliness.

Broader Implications and Future Directions

The collective body of research from Swansea University offers a paradigm shift in our understanding of dreams. It moves beyond traditional psychoanalytic or neurobiological interpretations that often focus solely on the individual’s internal processes during sleep. Instead, it highlights the interpersonal potential of dreaming, positioning dreams as a powerful, yet often overlooked, resource for enhancing human connection and empathy in the waking world.

The implications are far-reaching. In an increasingly fragmented society, where digital interactions often replace face-to-face connection, the structured sharing of dreams could serve as a unique tool for fostering genuine understanding and emotional resonance. It offers a low-cost, accessible method for individuals to explore their inner worlds while simultaneously building bridges to others. For therapeutic settings, dream sharing could become an even more integrated component, not just for individual insight but for improving group cohesion and empathy among participants. In educational contexts, it could be used to teach emotional intelligence and perspective-taking.

Future research could delve deeper into the neurobiological underpinnings of empathy enhancement during dream discussions, exploring which brain regions are activated in listeners. Further studies could also investigate the long-term effects of regular dream sharing on relationship quality, conflict resolution, and overall social well-being. The potential for applying these findings in diverse social groups, from families and workplaces to community organizations, is immense.

In conclusion, the work of Dr. Blagrove and Dr. Lockhart at Swansea University unequivocally demonstrates that dream sharing provides both individual and social benefits that extend far beyond theories focused solely on "within-sleep" functions of dreaming. It emphasizes that dreams are not just personal enigmas but potent narratives capable of fostering profound empathy and connection between people. By embracing the empathy theory of dreaming, we can unlock a powerful, natural mechanism for deepening human understanding and building a more compassionate world, one shared dream at a time. The dream, once a solitary journey, is now revealed as a shared voyage of discovery, connecting us all in unexpected and deeply meaningful ways.

References

Blagrove, M., Hale, S., Lockheart, J., Carr, M., Jones, A., & Valli, K. (2019). Testing the empathy theory of dreaming: The relationships between dream sharing and trait and state empathy. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1351.

Blagrove, M., Lockheart, J., Carr, M., Basra, S., Graham, H., Lewis, H., … & Valli, K. (2021). Dream sharing and the enhancement of empathy: Theoretical and applied implications. Dreaming, 31(2), 128.

Edwards, C. L., Malinowski, J. E., McGee, S. L., Bennett, P. D., Ruby, P. M., & Blagrove, M. T. (2015). Comparing personal insight gains due to consideration of a recent dream and consideration of a recent event using the Ullman and Schredl dream group methods. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 831.