In an age of high-definition television and vivid cinematography, it might seem peculiar to think that anyone would experience colorless dreams.

Falling, flying, failing exams and being chased are among the most frequently reported themes when people are asked in studies to describe their dreams. And yet for a small segment of the population, drifting off at night means reverting to a world of monochromatic hues.

Childhood exposure to black-andwhite television seems to be the common denominator. A study published this year found that people 25 and younger say they almost never dream in black and white. But people over 55 who grew up with little access to color television reported dreaming in black and white about a quarter of the time. Over all, 12 percent of people dream entirely in black and white.

In the 1940s, studies showed that three-quarters of Americans, including college students, reported“rarely’’or“never”seeing any color in their dreams. Now, those numbers are reversed.

ANAHAD O’CONNOR