Signature Assignment:
For the Deseret News in January 2011, Elizabeth Stuart wrote, “Recent research shows childhood sleep troubles may lead to an increased risk for depression, anxiety and drug abuse later in life.” (Stuart, 2011) Her feature goes on to state that, if sleep is lacked, adolescents are more likely to run a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and depression. I compared this article to an article written by Andrea Petersen in the Wall Street Journal in January 2011 entitled, “Kids who don’t sleep enough Are at Greater Risk for Depression, Anxiety Later,” (Petersen, 2011) I used Petersen’s article to challenge my research, because Stuart only had statistics to back up her argument, and Petersen had many studies as well as statistics.
The purpose of Stuart’s article is to inform readers that lack of sleep causes depression and anxiety in adolescents. There was a research done by Maria Wong, associate professor of psychology at Idaho State University. She told National Sleep Foundation "...over-tiredness in early childhood predicted lower response inhibition – that is, having problems inhibiting impulses and behavior – in adolescence, which predicted higher numbers of illicit drugs used." (Wong, 2011) There was no actual study presented in this article, however, there were statistics. According to a 2004 poll by National Sleep Foundation, 69 percent children experience one or more sleep-related problems at least a few nights a week. On average, children get less sleep during a 24-hour period than experts recommend. (Stuart, 2011)
The purpose of Petersen’s article like Stuart’s is to give the facts. Petersen’s articles had an abundance of information and studies done. According to Petersen’s article anxiety disorders are more common to appear earlier in life, and lack of sleep can get the ball rolling faster on this causing to be more likely to happen. Sleep problems lead to changes in the brain, which, in turn, contribute to the psychiatric illnesses, they say. Or some underlying issue, partly explained by genetics and early childhood experiences, could be a precursor to both poor sleep and the mental disorders. (Petersen, 2011) “A 2010 study of 392 boys and girls published online in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that those who had trouble sleeping at 12 to 14 years old were more than two times as likely to have suicidal thoughts at ages 15 to 17 as those who didn't have sleep problems at the younger age. (Petersen, 2011) It does not state who preformed this study.There could be a bias to this research, there are no groups with ages specified, as well as if it is an even amount of boys and girls, it’s too generic.
“In a study published last year in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, involving 386 participants, children whose mothers reported that they were overtired when 3 to 8 years old were 2.8 times as likely to binge drink when they were 18 to 20 years old. And a study of 1,037 children revealed that 46% of those who were considered to have a persistent sleep difficulty at age 9 had an anxiety disorder at age 21 or 26. By comparison, of the children who didn't have sleep problems at age 9, 33% had an anxiety disorder as young adults.” (Petersen, 2011) It doesn’t tell who performed the study. There is also a bias in this research as well, how many people participated in the study, how many boys and girls, were there both boys and girls? It’s not specified therefore not objective.
In Stuart’s conclusion she states that if a child is snoring or has trouble sleeping during the night and trouble staying awake during the day this may be a sign of a sleeping disorder. (Stuart, 2011) She also states that persistent sleep problems in adolescents have a higher outcome of them suffering from depression, and anxiety later. A study found a direct correlation between irregular sleep patterns and alcoholism and drug abuse later in life. (Stuart, 2011) I believe that Stuart’s article didn’t have enough evidence to back it up; it’s great to spark interest in the topic, but not provide the information. Petersen’s conclusion had a study that proved that children who fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer are less likely to suffer from depression later.
In my opinion The Wall Street Journal provided more clear information about the correlation between getting enough sleep and depression. An example of this is all the different studies it had to back up the information it was giving to the general public. Not only does it give studies about this stating that “Scientists caution that some study-sample sizes are small and research is still in its early stages,” but also gives ways parents can make getting enough sleep possible by banning TV, texting, and the computer a half hour before lights out. (Petersen, 2011) Although research on the topic is still in its prime, the information we have now was better portrayed through The Wall Street Journal than the Deseret News.
Works Cited
Petersen, Andrea. “Kids Who Don't Sleep Enough Are at Greater Risk for Depression, Anxiety Later.” Wall Street Journal 18 Jan. 2011 Web. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704029704576087943126802036.html?mod=rss_Health Stuart, Elizabeth. “Childhood sleep patterns predict risk of drug abuse, studies show.” Deseret News 26 Jan. 2011 Web. Retrieved from http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700104323/Childhood-sleep-patterns-predict-risk-of-drug-abuse-studies-show.html
The purpose of Stuart’s article is to inform readers that lack of sleep causes depression and anxiety in adolescents. There was a research done by Maria Wong, associate professor of psychology at Idaho State University. She told National Sleep Foundation "...over-tiredness in early childhood predicted lower response inhibition – that is, having problems inhibiting impulses and behavior – in adolescence, which predicted higher numbers of illicit drugs used." (Wong, 2011) There was no actual study presented in this article, however, there were statistics. According to a 2004 poll by National Sleep Foundation, 69 percent children experience one or more sleep-related problems at least a few nights a week. On average, children get less sleep during a 24-hour period than experts recommend. (Stuart, 2011)
The purpose of Petersen’s article like Stuart’s is to give the facts. Petersen’s articles had an abundance of information and studies done. According to Petersen’s article anxiety disorders are more common to appear earlier in life, and lack of sleep can get the ball rolling faster on this causing to be more likely to happen. Sleep problems lead to changes in the brain, which, in turn, contribute to the psychiatric illnesses, they say. Or some underlying issue, partly explained by genetics and early childhood experiences, could be a precursor to both poor sleep and the mental disorders. (Petersen, 2011) “A 2010 study of 392 boys and girls published online in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that those who had trouble sleeping at 12 to 14 years old were more than two times as likely to have suicidal thoughts at ages 15 to 17 as those who didn't have sleep problems at the younger age. (Petersen, 2011) It does not state who preformed this study.There could be a bias to this research, there are no groups with ages specified, as well as if it is an even amount of boys and girls, it’s too generic.
“In a study published last year in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, involving 386 participants, children whose mothers reported that they were overtired when 3 to 8 years old were 2.8 times as likely to binge drink when they were 18 to 20 years old. And a study of 1,037 children revealed that 46% of those who were considered to have a persistent sleep difficulty at age 9 had an anxiety disorder at age 21 or 26. By comparison, of the children who didn't have sleep problems at age 9, 33% had an anxiety disorder as young adults.” (Petersen, 2011) It doesn’t tell who performed the study. There is also a bias in this research as well, how many people participated in the study, how many boys and girls, were there both boys and girls? It’s not specified therefore not objective.
In Stuart’s conclusion she states that if a child is snoring or has trouble sleeping during the night and trouble staying awake during the day this may be a sign of a sleeping disorder. (Stuart, 2011) She also states that persistent sleep problems in adolescents have a higher outcome of them suffering from depression, and anxiety later. A study found a direct correlation between irregular sleep patterns and alcoholism and drug abuse later in life. (Stuart, 2011) I believe that Stuart’s article didn’t have enough evidence to back it up; it’s great to spark interest in the topic, but not provide the information. Petersen’s conclusion had a study that proved that children who fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer are less likely to suffer from depression later.
In my opinion The Wall Street Journal provided more clear information about the correlation between getting enough sleep and depression. An example of this is all the different studies it had to back up the information it was giving to the general public. Not only does it give studies about this stating that “Scientists caution that some study-sample sizes are small and research is still in its early stages,” but also gives ways parents can make getting enough sleep possible by banning TV, texting, and the computer a half hour before lights out. (Petersen, 2011) Although research on the topic is still in its prime, the information we have now was better portrayed through The Wall Street Journal than the Deseret News.
Works Cited
Petersen, Andrea. “Kids Who Don't Sleep Enough Are at Greater Risk for Depression, Anxiety Later.” Wall Street Journal 18 Jan. 2011 Web. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704029704576087943126802036.html?mod=rss_Health Stuart, Elizabeth. “Childhood sleep patterns predict risk of drug abuse, studies show.” Deseret News 26 Jan. 2011 Web. Retrieved from http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700104323/Childhood-sleep-patterns-predict-risk-of-drug-abuse-studies-show.html
Reflective Paper:
Psychology is a class that holds many benefits for all people, it teaches you how to read people, and interact on a more personal level. Thus creating a better bond with family, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances. As with everything in life there are strengths and weaknesses. This class is actually my major so what I learned in this class are things that I will use all throughout the rest of my life and in my career. Although a weakness of this class is there weren’t many outside tests and assignments, the strengths outweigh the weaknesses because of the journal and video posts, and the Psychology in the Media assignment.
There weren’t many outside tests and assignments in this class, and I think that this class would have been more beneficial to those of us in the class. It would have helped me to have some outside things to do that would challenge my mind a little more so that I would have a better chance at remembering what I was learning about. I like the extra practice that homework gives. This is my major so it’s very important that I study and retain as much information as my brain can hold. They say you need to do something 21 times before it will become a habit and if you are doing homework and taking tests then chances are you’re going to remember it a lot better and easier than if you are just going to class twice a week. For me without the extra work I forget 70% of what I learned the minute I walk out the door to go home. I feel that not having extra outside work is the biggest weakness in this class.
One of the strengths from this class was the journal and video posts. I think those helped a lot, it gave me a little better understanding of the material we were covering in class. Although the videos were very vintage looking and they were long taking notes like I did during the videos it helped me remember what the video was talking about. I also liked the journals because I was applying what I was learning into my everyday life and now I’m sleeping better and I’m exercising and eating healthy so not only am I happier and have more energy I know why I am feeling this way and what in my brain is making me feel this way. I would say doing these two things was one of the greatest strengths this class had to offer.
Psychology in the Media was a really great assignment in this class because I had never really extracted the psychology out of the everyday media. I like to read the paper, but it doesn’t occur to me that it’s Psychology. I really liked this assignment because it helped me expand my thought process and think in different way. The topic I found I thought was very interesting and I enjoyed learning more about it than I already knew. I liked this assignment and I feel that it was helpful for me to advance in this class which in turn will help me with my major. I liked being able to evaluate myself and find my strengths and weaknesses and improve in those areas. I also liked being able to evaluate others and find different ways to also incorporate their styles of learning into my own personal studies.
The strengths of this class are the video and journal posts and the Psychology in the Media assignment. Although this class isn’t for everyone to take I loved it and I would suggest that people take this class just to be able to learn the basics about Psychology. It is very beneficial for all people to have this class under their belt. There are so many things that it teaches that will help you in everyday life, I already apply almost half of the stuff I learned into my everyday life. I use it at work, when I’m with friends and even when I’m with my family. I liked this class and I’m excited to take Psychology 1100 next semester.
There weren’t many outside tests and assignments in this class, and I think that this class would have been more beneficial to those of us in the class. It would have helped me to have some outside things to do that would challenge my mind a little more so that I would have a better chance at remembering what I was learning about. I like the extra practice that homework gives. This is my major so it’s very important that I study and retain as much information as my brain can hold. They say you need to do something 21 times before it will become a habit and if you are doing homework and taking tests then chances are you’re going to remember it a lot better and easier than if you are just going to class twice a week. For me without the extra work I forget 70% of what I learned the minute I walk out the door to go home. I feel that not having extra outside work is the biggest weakness in this class.
One of the strengths from this class was the journal and video posts. I think those helped a lot, it gave me a little better understanding of the material we were covering in class. Although the videos were very vintage looking and they were long taking notes like I did during the videos it helped me remember what the video was talking about. I also liked the journals because I was applying what I was learning into my everyday life and now I’m sleeping better and I’m exercising and eating healthy so not only am I happier and have more energy I know why I am feeling this way and what in my brain is making me feel this way. I would say doing these two things was one of the greatest strengths this class had to offer.
Psychology in the Media was a really great assignment in this class because I had never really extracted the psychology out of the everyday media. I like to read the paper, but it doesn’t occur to me that it’s Psychology. I really liked this assignment because it helped me expand my thought process and think in different way. The topic I found I thought was very interesting and I enjoyed learning more about it than I already knew. I liked this assignment and I feel that it was helpful for me to advance in this class which in turn will help me with my major. I liked being able to evaluate myself and find my strengths and weaknesses and improve in those areas. I also liked being able to evaluate others and find different ways to also incorporate their styles of learning into my own personal studies.
The strengths of this class are the video and journal posts and the Psychology in the Media assignment. Although this class isn’t for everyone to take I loved it and I would suggest that people take this class just to be able to learn the basics about Psychology. It is very beneficial for all people to have this class under their belt. There are so many things that it teaches that will help you in everyday life, I already apply almost half of the stuff I learned into my everyday life. I use it at work, when I’m with friends and even when I’m with my family. I liked this class and I’m excited to take Psychology 1100 next semester.