Psychology / Unit 3 Psych 0308 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Sleep as Adaptive Function
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The idea
The adaptive theory holds that sleep patterns evolved to keep organisms inactive and safe during their least useful hours.
In practice
Species with few predators and secure sleeping sites sleep substantially longer than exposed grazing species.
Where people slip
The two theories are not rivals to be scored. Sleep plausibly serves both functions at once.
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