Acquisition and Processing of Information During States of REM Sleep and Slow-Wave Sleep

摘要

Review, analysis and summary of experimental literature on Sleep Learning.Findings: (1) Serious methodological flaws found in all reported positive results. No evidence that semantic learning occurs when verbal material is presented to sleeping subjects. (2) A critical, but open minded test of sleep learning has not been done. Recommendations made for an appropriate experiment. (3) If novel material is presented to the sleeping subject, there is danger that it may interfere with normal night time processing of earlier, day time experiences. (4) It is possible that external stimuli could be used to prompt and direct information processing during sleep to favor one set of material in preference to others. This could apply to skill learning as well as declarative memory with considerable potential relevance to soldier training.