Exploring the Dream Content of Blind Individuals: A Phenomenological Study
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Abstract
This study explores the dream experiences of visually impaired individuals in Pakistan, with particular emphasis on sensory perception, daydreaming, emotional regulation, and optimism. A qualitative research design was employed by a phenomenological approach that would be used to capture the lived experiences of the visually impaired people. The sampling method was a purposive sample of 16 participants who were semi-structured interviewed, comprising of both congenitally blind and late-blind. Thematic analysis was considered to analyse the data in accordance with the framework of Braun and Clarke. The analysis of the results shows that the content of dreams in blind people is mainly of non-visual character, as it is based on auditory, tactile, and kinaesthetic impressions. Those who became blind later in life said that they saw a visual image a few times every now and then, but those who were born blind said that they had a dream experience that was purely non-visual. Besides, daydreaming was also discovered to have a significant role in influencing internal experiences, allowing the participants to build imagined situations and dwell upon future desires. The dreams were also highly socialised and people were identified by voice, behaviour and emotional attachment other than external appearance. The research finds a conclusion that the dream experience of the visually impaired individuals is complex and multidimensional, which is influenced by the process of adaptation to the sensory stimuli and the process of emotion.
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