Effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance

This Psychology EE (preview) examined how sleep deprivation affects cognitive processing speed. Twenty participants (ages 16-18) were divided into two groups: one sleeping less than 4 hours, the other more than 7 hours. Their reaction times in a computerized test were recorded, showing that sleep-deprived participants had a slower average reaction time (318.2 ms) compared to the well-rested group (244.9 ms). These findings supported the hypothesis that lack of sleep negatively impacts cognitive processing. Suggested improvements included using sleep-tracking devices and testing more complex cognitive tasks for greater accuracy.

March 2, 2025

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