Psychologists and their research have significantly influenced the fields of sleep and circadian science for more than a century. However, psychology has not yet fully integrated sleep as a key area of exploration, while sleep medicine has not readily recognized psychology's essential role in comprehending sleep and circadian rhythms. A recent call for submissions seeks to examine psychology's deep impact on sleep studies, measurement, and intervention techniques, alongside the reciprocal influences both fields share. This effort aims to document the evolution of sleep psychology from its origins to future prospects.
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The origins of sleep psychology can be traced back to ancient civilizations, including references found in the Old Testament. The Epic of Gilgamesh, dating back over 5,000 years, posed essential psychological inquiries about sleep, such as its value compared to wakefulness, the significance of dreams, and the effects of human will on wakefulness. Ancient philosophers who contributed to early psychological thought, like Plato and Aristotle, discussed the moral implications of sleep, with Plato suggesting virtuous living resulted in “sweet sleep” and Aristotle viewing sleep as lacking intrinsic value.
In the mid-1800s, systematic studies of the psychology of sleep began to emerge. Blanchard Fosgate's work, *Sleep Psychologically Considered*, examined the mind's activities during sleep and their relations to memory and irritability. Alexander Bain later discussed sleep concerning bodily rhythms and mental restoration. Despite the rise of experimental psychology in the late 19th century, figures like Wilhelm Wundt excluded sleep from their studies as a primarily physiological phenomenon, while William James acknowledged its psychological importance in his seminal textbook, *Principles of Psychology*. His student, Mary Whiton Calkins, was instrumental in early empirical dream studies.
The interest in dreams surged in the early 1900s, notably due to Sigmund Freud's theories, but psychologists also contributed to varied areas of sleep research. This included pioneering studies on sleep deprivation by Patrick and Gilbert, as well as investigations into caffeine's effects on sleep conducted by Harry Hollingworth. Researchers such as Lightner Witmer and John Watson also made significant early contributions to understanding insomnia and sleep disorders.
The mid-20th century marked a transformative era in sleep studies with the discovery of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep by Eugene Aserinsky and Nathaniel Kleitman, spurring interest in the field. Notably, a significant portion of participants at the first meeting of the Association for the Psychophysiological Study of Sleep in 1961 came from psychological backgrounds. This period saw psychologists actively involved in developing standardized methods such as polysomnography scoring, with key figures like Alan Rechtschaffen and Rosalind Cartwright shaping the direction of sleep research.
However, the growing prominence of sleep medicine in the 1980s led to a decline in focus on the psychological aspects of sleep. Despite this, researchers like Rosalind Cartwright continued to emphasize the relevance of understanding the psychological dimensions of sleep. The field calls for manuscripts discussing the historical contributions of psychological inquiry to sleep science, including explorations of various psychological theories, assessments, interventions, and advancements in methodologies that enrich the understanding of sleep.
This initiative invites further research into the historical interplay between psychology and sleep, the contributions of different psychological fields to sleep science, and perspectives on its future directions. Interested contributors are encouraged to submit their findings as part of this ongoing inquiry.