The influences of time of day and preference for time on higher-level cognitive processes

Previous research has examined the influences of time of day and preference for time of day on memory. However this research has largely overlooked the influences of time of day and preference for time of day on other higher-level cognitive processes such as text-inferencing and knowledge integration. The present study examined the influences of time of day and preference for time of day on these and other higher-level cognitive processes. At 9 a.m. or 5 p.m. participants completed Hannon and Daneman's (2001) component processes task--a measure of text memory, text inferencing, knowledge integration, and knowledge access--as well as Horne and Östberg's (1976) Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. The results of the present study found that while preference for time of day and time of day did have an influence on higher-level cognitive processes (i.e., text inferencing and low knowledge integration), it was the day of week that had a stronger influence on higher-level cognitive processes (i.e., text memory and low knowledge integration). The current study suggests future examinations of cognitive rhythms beyond the fascination with circadian.