Citation

Weiskotten TF. J. Exp. Psychol. 1925; 8(5): 363-380.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1925, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/h0069698

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to measure in an objective manner the effects of fatigue induced by the loss of sleep; and, not only to determine the immediate effects, but to determine the remoter effects as well. It was with this end in view that the administration of the tests was continued for a week following the actual period of sleeplessness, during which time the remoter effects were measured. In order to eliminate the influence of the practice factor in the administration of the tests, the administration was begun a week before the period of insomnia, and during the period of insomnia, the tests were given at the greater frequency of six hours, so that more closely the immediate effects might be measured. This experiment extended over a period of seventeen days, January seventh to twenty-third, inclusive, 1925. The writer acted both as subject and experimenter. On the ninth, tenth, and part of the eleventh days of the experiment, January 15th, 16th and 17th, no sleep was taken. The experiment was controlled by means of a series of mental and physical tests during the entire period. Some of the conclusions stated were that fatigue induced through the loss of sleep to a certain point acts as a stimulant upon the mental powers. Unless continued to a great length, loss of sleep does not seem to affect either the mental or physical powers to any appreciable degree. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)