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Do majoring subjects affect the morningness-eveningness preference by students?
1Laboratory of Environmental Physiology, Faculty of Education, Kochi University, Kochi 780-8520, Japan.
Journal of Human Ergology
|April 18, 2002
Summary
Women exhibit stronger morningness preferences than men, particularly in sleep-wake timing. Academic major also influences chronotype in women, with science fields showing a morning preference.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Sleep Science
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Individual differences in circadian rhythms, or chronotypes, influence daily activity patterns.
- Understanding sex-based differences in chronotype is crucial for various physiological and behavioral studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in morningness-eveningness preferences.
- To explore the influence of academic major on chronotype in women.
Main Methods:
- Participants completed questionnaires assessing chronotype, including rising time, peak activity, and sleep-wake times.
- Statistical analyses were performed to compare chronotype scores between sexes and among different academic majors.
Main Results:
- Women reported significantly higher morningness scores compared to men.
- The divergence in chronotype scores between sexes was most pronounced for rising time, peak activity, and falling-to-sleep time.
- Women in natural sciences and agriculture showed a greater preference for morningness than those in humanities, economics, or education.
Conclusions:
- Significant sex differences exist in chronotype, with women generally preferring morningness.
- Men's circadian oscillators may be more prone to free-running, leading to greater variability.
- Academic discipline is a modulating factor for chronotype in women, indicating potential environmental or lifestyle influences.