James Maas

James Beryl Maas (August 9, 1938 – June 23, 2025) was an American social psychologist and academic who was best known for his work in the field of sleep research, specifically the relationship between sleep and performance. He was best known for coining the term "power nap". He holds a B.A. from Williams College and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Cornell University. Maas also produced numerous film specials on sleep research for PBS, BBC, and others.

For 48 years, Maas taught psychology as a professor at Cornell University. His introductory course Psychology 101 was long known as the most popular class at Cornell. In subsequent years the number would approach 1,600. Maas used personal anecdotes, slides and videos, and exercises and games in order to communicate with the large audience. After the college's Senior Sexual Harassment Counselor determined that the complaints against plaintiff had merit, hearings were held before the college's Professional Ethics Committee. On June 23, 1995, the Cornell University Administration published a press release that found Maas had neither sought "an intimate sexual relationship with any of his students nor...engaged in the physically abusive behaviors often associated with the term 'sexual harassment.'"

The popularity of his course undiminished, By his count, he had taught Psychology 101 to some 65,000 students.

Maas authored the book Power Sleep: The Revolutionary Program That Prepares Your Mind for Peak Performance, with his research assistants Megan L. Wherry, David J. Axelrod, Jennifer A. Blumin and Barbara R. Hogan. He wrote in the book that "the process of sleep, if given adequate time and the proper environment, provides tremendous power ... It restores, rejuvenates, and energizes the body and brain.”

Maas died on June 23, 2025, at the age of 86.