US High School Psychology Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The understanding that the longer the period of REM sleep, the more likely a person will report dreaming is rooted in the nature of sleep cycles. REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is the stage of sleep most closely associated with vivid dreaming. As the night progresses through subsequent sleep cycles, the duration of REM sleep increases, particularly in the latter part of the night. This expansion of REM duration enhances the likelihood that an individual will experience and remember dreams.

In most sleep cycles, REM sleep occurs multiple times, with each successive period typically being longer than the last. If a person wakes up after an extended REM phase, they are more apt to recall their dreams due to the increased amount of time spent in this stage. Thus, the relationship between the length of REM sleep and the reporting of dreams is well established in sleep research, making this option the correct choice.