The dynamics of affect across the wake-sleep cycle: From waking mind-wandering to night-time dreaming

Affective experiences occur across the wake-sleep cycle—from active wakefulness to resting (i.e., mind-wandering) sleep dreaming). Yet, we know little about dynamics of affect these states. We compared affective ratings waking, mind-wandering, and dream episodes. Results showed that mind-wandering was more positively valenced than dreaming, both dreaming were negatively wakefulness. also participants’ self-ratings with external analysis in verbal reports). With all episodes predominated by positive affect. However, valence reports changed from waking affectively balanced reports. These findings show (1) positivity bias characteristic decreases continuum, (2) conclusions regarding depend on whether or describing are analysed.