The document discusses sleep/wake cycles across the lifespan. It identifies that sleep patterns shift during adolescence, with teens experiencing a delayed onset of sleep and needing 9-10 hours of sleep per night due to biological factors. However, social demands often prevent teens from getting sufficient sleep. Over time, a sleep debt accumulates as teens consistently get less sleep than their bodies require.

1. Lesson 7:
Sleep/wake cycles across the lifespan
Saturday, 28 January 2012

2. Lesson 6: Sleep Deprivation
EXAM QUESTION
How can task performance
be impaired by sleep
deprivation? (2 marks)
Saturday, 28 January 2012

3. Model Response:
Performance on complex, intellectual tasks is not
impaired, whereas an individual’s ability to follow simple
routines, as well as vigilance, attentiveness and mood,
can be affected. Low level boring tasks are the most
likely to be affected, as deprivation may affect
motivation rather than ability.
Saturday, 28 January 2012

4. Lesson 7:
Sleep/wake cycle across the lifespan
Objectives:
*Identify the shift in sleep-wake cycles
during adolescence
*Describe the delayed onset of sleep
*Describe the need for sleep
Saturday, 28 January 2012

5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=gMS0M_KcsOE
clip embedded on wiki under this summary
:0)
Saturday, 28 January 2012

6. Sleep pattern shifts over the lifespan
~Most people your age get about 8 hours
~Research shows that adolescents need 9 or 10 hours
~Many people report not being able to get to sleep
quickly, not getting enough sleep and difficulty getting
up in the morning
~Biological factors – rhythms – regulate when we sleep
and wake through the release of hormones that make us
tired
~Our sleep-wake cycle is called a circadian rhythm – this
means about a day
Saturday, 28 January 2012

7. So why are you tired?
During adolescence your sleep-wake cycle is shifted biologically
(through the release of hormones) to make you require about 2
hours more sleep!
But our school and work day does not really allow for this! (that’s
shit)
As we consistently get less than optimum sleep we create a sleep
debt – this compounds like a fine you haven't payed – it gets bigger
and bigger
As a result you try to catch up on the weekend! But then you go to
bed later and compound the problem!
Research shows that less than 8 hours has a negative impact on
cognitive function
Saturday, 28 January 2012