In middle adulthood, individuals typically experience which of the following changes in sleep patterns?

• A. No change in sleep patterns compared to earlier adulthood
• B. A decrease in the amount of deep sleep (slow-wave sleep)
• C. A significant increase in REM sleep duration
• D. An increase in total sleep time compared to young adulthood

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the typical sleep pattern changes that occur during middle adulthood by reviewing developmental psychology literature on sleep across the lifespan.
2. Identify the key stages of sleep, focusing on deep sleep (slow-wave sleep) and REM sleep, and how their durations change with age.
3. Recall that middle adulthood is often associated with a decrease in the amount of deep sleep, which is important for physical restoration and memory consolidation.
4. Compare the options given: no change, decrease in deep sleep, increase in REM sleep, and increase in total sleep time, and evaluate which aligns with established research findings.
5. Conclude that the most accurate change during middle adulthood is a decrease in the amount of deep sleep (slow-wave sleep), as supported by empirical studies on adult sleep patterns.