What defines a person's "chronotype"?

A person's chronotype describes their natural preference for being active during certain times of the day, specifically whether they tend to wake up early (morning person) or stay up late (night owl). This inclination is influenced by internal biological rhythms, such as the circadian rhythm, which regulates various physical and mental processes over a 24-hour cycle.

Chronotypes are significant in cognitive psychology as they can impact learning, performance, and overall well-being. For instance, individuals with a morning chronotype might perform better in tasks that require cognitive engagement early in the day, while night owls may be more productive during evening hours. Understanding an individual's chronotype can help in optimizing schedules for work, study, and other activities to align with their natural patterns of alertness and energy.

While factors such as biological clocks, environmental influences, and sleep onset ages relate to sleep patterns, they do not specifically define the chronotype, which is ultimately about an individual's preferred times of activity.