Learning and REM Sleep
Summary. This experiment looks at whether the number of REMs during sleep is different when people are in a relaxed period of life (e.g., students on summer vacation) compared to when they are in a more active period (e.g., students during final exams).
Video. Scientific American Frontiers: Pieces of Mind (1996), What's in a Dream segment. The section describing this study begins approximately 30 minutes into the program, and runs for about 14 minutes. Pause the video after Alan Alda says “Her mind still buzzing from all that learning, Laura again gets to sleep in the lab.” After the students have done their data analysis and drawn conclusions, show the remainder of the program. The segment can be viewed online (as of July 2018) -- Season 7, episode 3.
Original Research. Smith, C., & Lapp, L. (1991). Increases in number of REMs and REM density in humans following an intensive learning period. Sleep, 14, 325-330.
Design. 2 x 2 mixed factorial. The between-subjects factor (test vs. control) was whether the participant was taking classes in the fall semester or not. The within-subject factor was whether the participant was tested during summer or a few days after final exams were over.
Statistical Analysis. Students can use the data in Table 1 to examine the change in the number of REMs. A one-way ANOVA shows that the test group had a larger increase in number of REMs, F(1, 9) = 6.33, p = .03. The data in Table 2 shows a significant difference in REM density, F(1, 9) = 6.56, p = .03.
Published ResuIts. "The most obvious result in this study was the increase in the total number of REMs observed in the test subjects following the exam period [F(1,9) = 6.3, p < 0.05] . . . . Also significant was the increased density of REMs [F(1,9) = 6.5, p < 0.05] occurring following the exam period for test subjects." (p. 327).
Published Conclusions. "To summarize, the results clearly indicate an increase in the number of REMs for the test group 3-5 days following their exams. This is indicated by measure of both the number of REMs and REM density." (p. 328).
The Excel file for this activity contains realistic data showing the difference in the number of REMs between the Christmas test period and the average of the two summer periods (positive values indicate more REMs during the Christmas period). The file also contains realistic data showing the difference in REM density (REMs per minute) between the Christmas test period and the average of the two summer periods (positive values indicate higher REM density during the Christmas period).
Summary. This experiment looks at whether the number of REMs during sleep is different when people are in a relaxed period of life (e.g., students on summer vacation) compared to when they are in a more active period (e.g., students during final exams).
Video. Scientific American Frontiers: Pieces of Mind (1996), What's in a Dream segment. The section describing this study begins approximately 30 minutes into the program, and runs for about 14 minutes. Pause the video after Alan Alda says “Her mind still buzzing from all that learning, Laura again gets to sleep in the lab.” After the students have done their data analysis and drawn conclusions, show the remainder of the program. The segment can be viewed online (as of July 2018) -- Season 7, episode 3.
Original Research. Smith, C., & Lapp, L. (1991). Increases in number of REMs and REM density in humans following an intensive learning period. Sleep, 14, 325-330.
Design. 2 x 2 mixed factorial. The between-subjects factor (test vs. control) was whether the participant was taking classes in the fall semester or not. The within-subject factor was whether the participant was tested during summer or a few days after final exams were over.
Statistical Analysis. Students can use the data in Table 1 to examine the change in the number of REMs. A one-way ANOVA shows that the test group had a larger increase in number of REMs, F(1, 9) = 6.33, p = .03. The data in Table 2 shows a significant difference in REM density, F(1, 9) = 6.56, p = .03.
Published ResuIts. "The most obvious result in this study was the increase in the total number of REMs observed in the test subjects following the exam period [F(1,9) = 6.3, p < 0.05] . . . . Also significant was the increased density of REMs [F(1,9) = 6.5, p < 0.05] occurring following the exam period for test subjects." (p. 327).
Published Conclusions. "To summarize, the results clearly indicate an increase in the number of REMs for the test group 3-5 days following their exams. This is indicated by measure of both the number of REMs and REM density." (p. 328).
The Excel file for this activity contains realistic data showing the difference in the number of REMs between the Christmas test period and the average of the two summer periods (positive values indicate more REMs during the Christmas period). The file also contains realistic data showing the difference in REM density (REMs per minute) between the Christmas test period and the average of the two summer periods (positive values indicate higher REM density during the Christmas period).