Hallucinations or Dreams? A Study of Arousal Levels and Reported Visual Sensations during Sensory Deprivation

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Abstract
The primary purpose of the study was to assess the level of arousal prior to the time visual sensations were reported in sensory deprivation conditions. Concurrent recordings of EEG, GSR and verbal reports were obtained from 22 female Ss who spent 1 hr. in sensory deprivation. Ten Ss who reported experiencing visual sensations noted that they were awake or, in a few cases, drowsy at the time of their experience. Examination of their EEG records prior to the reports confirmed their impressions. Ss who reported visual sensations made more verbal reports of other kinds, and reported more anxiety, depression, hostility, and somatic discomfort during the sensory deprivation period. The evidence does not support the “postponed dream report” explanation of RVS phenomena.