Effect of non-induced sleep deprivation on short term memory function

The research hypothesised that short term memory function would be greatly inhibited by sleep deprivation. This hypothesis was received through vigorous research of earlier theories and research. The vast majority of previous research carried out in the area found that insufficient sleep can be a causal factor of the impairment of short term memory function. The study consisted of 25 college students that completed two short term memory tests which were achieved from an adaptation of the Digit Span Task by Baddeley & Hitch (1974). Participants were given two short term memory tests; one at the beginning of the week of research and one at the end of the week. It was hypothesised that participants that were sleep deprived throughout the week of research would perform considerably worse and score less on the second memory test in comparison to participants that received sufficient sleep intake. The participants sleep deprivation was non-induced due to ethical reasons, thus participants were asked to keep a sleep diary of the amount of hours of sleep they received each night. Findings showed that short term memory function can be reduced as sleep intake reduces accordingly.