Final answer:
Mary Carskadon conducted research indicating that adolescents sleep for an average of 9 hours and 25 minutes when they can. Adolescent sleep requirements are greater than those of adults, and insufficient sleep can lead to sleep debt impacting health and cognitive functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theorist who, along with her colleagues, conducted extensive research on adolescent sleep patterns and found that adolescents will sleep an average of 9 hours and 25 minutes a night when given the opportunity is Mary Carskadon. This research is significant as it contributes to the understanding of how much sleep is needed by adolescents for optimal health and development.
Sleep patterns change throughout a person's lifespan, and it is generally recognized that adolescents require more sleep compared to adults. This is in line with findings that as people age, the average sleep duration decreases. Understanding these differences is crucial for addressing issues related to insufficient sleep and sleep debt, which can affect cognitive function and overall well-being.