Critically Discuss the Effects of Sleep on Long-Term Memory

Abstract

In our modern societies, sleep is commonly viewed as a luxury rather than a necessity, and should be kept at a strict minimum to enhance productivity. However, recent empirical studies reveal that sleep does play a critical role in our learning and memory; in fact, it has been shown that good sleep quality, feeling rested at school and having a distinct bed time have been associated with better functioning at school. Although consensus on sleep's contribution to the active processing of newly acquired memories has been established now, the question about exactly what underlying mechanisms are involved in the sleep-memory connection still remains unclear. This paper will critically discuss how sleep affects learning and memory with reference to current research findings.