Neuroscientist reveals the fascinating link between sleep and empathy
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Feeling negative or impulsive? You might be sleep deprived
- Neuroscientist Russell Foster says a lack of sleep can reduce empathy and increase focus on negative experiences.
- Dr Foster spoke at the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts, which has partnered with The Independent.
- He explained that sleep deprivation can cause the brain to remember negative experiences while forgetting positive ones, biasing one's worldview.
- He added that tiredness leads to impulsivity, potentially causing people to make poor and unreflective decisions.
- Dr Foster suggested that political leaders' sleep deprivation could impact their ability to make sensible decisions. The results of a pilot study on the topic will be released soon.