How lack of sleep affects important decisions

Researchers at Washington University on the results of these studies were able to prove that the constant lack of sleep affects behavior in critical moments. During fast-paced events when you need to make important decisions and quickly adapt to uncertain circumstances, people with lack of sleep, not enough brain activity to make important decisions. Very often these people are unable to make the right decisions, especially in extreme and stressful situations.

Studies have shown that lack of sleep responsible persons resulted in the Chernobyl meltdown and explosion of the Challenger. But still figuring out how it affects decision-making lack of sleep, not work. Specialists in psychophysiology from the University of Washington have managed to create a model of the real situation in which you need to make critical decisions in the condition of lack of sleep.





During the research, scientists observed for adult males under the age of forty years. 26 people were broken into groups – experimental and control. The first group didn't sleep for two days, and then another two days test subjects slept. The second group had to comply with normal sleep and wakefulness. Both groups were under the constant supervision of specialists. Then all subjects took part in the Olympics through two, three and four days. Each participant had a card with a number. From the very beginning, discussing what and at what point each of the participants should do. For all of the subjects were given less than a second. In the case when done correctly, subjects received a cash prize. Otherwise, the subjects were fined.

Researchers have found that all cards are recognized well enough even without sleep for two days. But after 48 hours of testing, the scientists changed the conditions on the opposite. The second group with all the tasks in the second part of the experiment performed well. But the first group showed greater response time throughout the study. After further investigation by specialists has been established that sleep deprivation does not affect memory of the subjects. However, their emotional reaction is slowed down due to lack of sleep. The studies found that lack of sleep is the main cause of inhibition of the reaction.

 

Literature:

Whitney P, Hinson JM, Jackson ML, Van Dongen HPA. Feedback blunting: total sleep deprivation impairs decision making that requires updating based on feedback. SLEEP 2015;38(5):745-75

P. S. And remember, just changing your mind — together we change the world! ©

Source: psypress.ru/psynews/27177.shtml