Have you ever found yourself having intrusive thoughts about something you havent finished?
The Zeigarnik Effect
The Zeigarnik effect is something you probably experience more often than you realize.
These thoughts urge you to go back and finish the task you started.
In your day-to-day life, you have multiple tasks that command your attention.
Soap operas and serialized dramas also take advantage of the Zeigarnik effect.
For example, an episode may end, but the story is clearly not over.
Its also common to experience the Zeigarnik effect in school.
Zeigarnik Effect Examples
You probably experience the Zeigarnik effect often in your daily life.
Once the bill was paid, however, the waiters had trouble remembering the exact details of the orders.
After an hour-long wait, Zeigarnik asked the participants to describe what they had been working on.
If they could not solve the anagram before the time was up, they were given the word answer.
The findings supported Zeigarnik’s observations that people have a better memory for unfinished tasks or interrupted information.
Conflicting Research
Not all research has found support for the effect, however.
How Does It Work?
Short-term memory is limited in both capacity and duration.
Typically, we can only retain so many things in our memory.
Even then, we need to keep rehearsing information to hold on to it.
This process requires quite a bit of mental effort.
The Zeigarnik effect is one example.
We hold on to information in the short term by constantly pulling it back into our awareness.
By thinking of uncompleted tasks often, were more likely to keep remembering them until they get done.
The Zeigarnik effect does not just affect memory in the short term.
The Zeigarnik effect tells us a lot abouthow memory works.
Once information is perceived, it is often stored in sensory memory for a brief time.
When we pay attention to information, it moves into short-term memory.
Once its done, however, our mind can let go of the extra effort.
There are some real-world applications of the Zeigarnik effect that it’s possible for you to use today.
If you are struggling to memorize something important, momentary interruptions might work to your advantage.
Rather than simply repeating the information, review it a few times, and then take a break.
Overcome Procrastination
Procrastination is related to the Zeigarnik in some familiar ways.
Unfortunately, this habit leads to stress and poor performance.
One way to overcomeprocrastinationis to put the Zeigarnik effect to work for you.
Start by taking the first step, no matter how small.
Once youve startedbut not finishedyour work, you will find yourself thinking about the task until you complete it.
Creatives like filmmakers and TV writers also use the effect.
The trailer draws your attention but leaves you wanting more.
To find out what happens, youll have to see the movie.
Promote Mental Well-Being
The Zeigarnik effect is not always beneficial.
When you do not complete tasks, they may weigh heavily on your mind and create stress.
The stressful, invasive thoughts can lead to anxiety and affect your sleep.
That said, the Zeigarnik effect has a way of getting you to deal with the stress.
Since then, research has shown that we tend to better recall unfinished tasks than completed ones.
Zeigarnik B.On finished and unfinished tasks.
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Kodden B.The Art of Sustainable Performance: The Zeigarnik Effect.
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