Over the past decade, there have been many scientific studies on the digital activity of people, such as making mobile calls, texting, e-mailing, and posting on social media. Nearly all human behavior leaves a digital footprint. Therefore, scientists can use such digital activity as a way to track human activity. For example, they can study differences between cultures in sleep patterns, work schedules, and spare time activities.
Researchers from Finland and Denmark use a completely new approach to study digital rhythms. Previous studies focused on general patterns across large numbers of people. However, this time researchers focus on pronounced, long-term differences in rhythm between individuals. They show that people tend to have their personal rhythm of digital activity. It is stable like a personal signature.
“Each individual follows their own daily rhythm,” says Talayeh, who led the research. “In almost every case, the patterns differ strongly from the average behavior, for example by increased calling frequency during mornings, mid-days, or evenings,” says Talayeh. What drives these individual differences is not yet clear. Geographical and cultural differences clearly play a role. “There could also be an effect of physiology(生理学). We see this research as the first step to understand how activity patterns are related to other people’s characteristics, such as personality and mobility behavior,” says Talayeh.
This finding could also have medical use. Digital rhythms could be monitored for patients with mental health problems. Sudden changes in patients’ digital rhythms could be a sign that treatment may be necessary. “Combining this research with Big Data may also bring new ways of research in sleep studies,” concludes Talayeh.
32. What do scientists use the digital activity of people to do?
A. To make their research easier.
B. To know about people’s behavior.
C. To aid the development of social media.
D. To reduce people’s dependence on mobile phones.
33. Which of the following can best describe digital rhythms?
A. Natural but casual. B. Personal and fixed.
C. Differnet but unclear. D. Changeable and mysterious.
34. According to Talayeh, digital rhythms ________.
A. have nothing to do with personality
B. have a great effect on everyday habits
C. may have something to do with culture
D. can help the development of physiology
35. What is the use of rhythms in the medical field?
A. They can help avoid patients’ sleep problems.
B. They will change the ways doctors do their work.
C. They could free people of mental problems.
D. They may tell whether a patient is well.