The effect of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance

A lack of sleep, or sleep deprivation (SD), is a widespread phenomenon that can induce adverse changes in cognitive performance. Sleep deprivation can have significant effects on memory and cognitive function, which is a major concern for students. Correlational research design was used to conduct this quantitative research. Survey was administered with closed ended questionnaires as method of data collection. Convenient sampling technique was employed to select the sample of study 100 (male=50, female=50) college students. Findings of the study reveal that there is significant positive correlation between sleep deprivation, forgetfulness distractibility and false triggering. Moreover, females reported greater level of sleep deprivation, forgetfulness distractibility and false triggering as compared to male students. The study might also suggest that organizations (like schools, workplaces, or healthcare settings) consider the cognitive impacts of sleep deprivation in their policies. For instance, allowing for more breaks, nap opportunities, or prioritizing sleep education might enhance cognitive performance in high-stakes environments.