Oxford AQA A Level Psychology: EVOLUTIONARY EXPLANATIONS OF SLEEP [3.3.1 Psychology of Sleep]

This fully editable lesson explores the evolutionary explanations for the functions of sleep, focusing on how ecological factors, predator-prey relationships, and energy conservation influence sleep patterns across species. Designed using the OxfordAQA International A-level Psychology (9685) specification, this lesson provides a detailed understanding of sleep’s adaptive role in survival.
Key Features:

Comprehensive Lesson Slides: The lesson covers key evolutionary theories of sleep, including the predator-prey hypothesis by Meddis (1975) and the hibernation theory by Webb (1982). Students will learn how factors such as an animal’s size, ecological niche, and predator-prey status affect sleep duration. The lesson includes research by Allison and Cicchetti (1976) and Lesku et al. (2005), highlighting how correlational studies have shaped our understanding of the relationship between brain mass, sleep duration, and REM sleep.

Interactive Activities: Students engage with a “Do Now” activity that prompts them to think critically about whether sleep is always beneficial for animals. The lesson also features “Check it” questions throughout to assess understanding, including tasks that ask students to explain ecological niches, evaluate research findings, and critically assess the limitations of correlational and captivity-based studies.

Assessment Materials: Includes exam-style questions with model answers, such as explaining evolutionary functions of sleep and identifying limitations of using animal studies to investigate sleep. These assessment materials guide students in applying their knowledge to real-world examples and prepare them for answering both application and evaluation questions on this topic.