Main -> In the News: Consciousness

Sleep Deprivation Weighs on Night Shift Workers (NPR, 4/11/2011) (Courtesy of Erica Noles, 5/28/14)

Harvard sleep specialist, Charles Czeisler, argues that (in the wake of the problems with air traffic controllers snoozing on the job) "it would be far better to recognize that naps are going to happen and to schedule them, rather than to have people doze off at unscheduled times." 

How to Beat Sleep Apnea?  Cut It Out (Surgically) (NPR, 3/14/2011) Length: 4 mins.

"A sleep study confirmed Sheiner had one of the worst cases of apnea his doctors had ever seen. After trying a number of different treatments, his doctors finally tried a surgery using robots to treat his stubborn apnea — with positive results."

Discussion questions: Describe sleep apnea.  Under what conditions might surgery be recommended?

What Clown on a Unicycle? Studying Cellphone Distaction (NY Times, 10/22/2009)

Cellphone-using college students walking across campus were much more likely NOT to see a unicycling clown than were students listening to music.  Students walking with a friend were much more likely to spot the unicycling clown.

Discussion questions: How many of your students talk on a cellphone while driving?  How many students think they drive as well while on a cellphone as they do driving alone or with a friend?  What might drivers not be seeing?

Journal article: Hyman, I., Boss, S., Wise, B., McKenzie, K., & Caggiano, J. (2009). Did you see the unicycling clown? Inattentional blindness while walking and talking on a cell phone. Applied Cognitive Psychology. doi: 10.1002/acp.1638