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Ever felt like waiting in despair for the next episode of a new series or a new season? Or after an exam having difficulty remembering all of the things that you’ve studied for the exam, as if it’s been Erased out of your memory.

Congratulations you’ve experienced The Zeigarnik effect

(whatever efforts are , they’re purely to help people in need , make your part by sharing this information so it can reach someone in need)

Contents:

What is Zeigarnik effect?

Why it happens?

How can it help us?

In a Nutshell?

WHAT IS ZEIGARNIK EFFECT?

Image source : The Backyard Psychologist

The Zeigarnik Effect is based on the idea that it is human nature to finish what we start and, if we don’t finish something, we experience dissonance, resulting in an uncomfortable feeling. Not finishing something puts us in a state of tension that makes us pay more attention to the thing we want to finish. The consequence is that we remember uncompleted tasks more than the tasks already completed.

WHY IT HAPPENS?

The main reason for this can be because as the information is perceived, it is often stored in sensory memory for a very short time.paying attention to information, it moves it into short-term memory. Even in short- term memory, these newly formed memories are forgotten fairly quickly, but through the process of active rehearsal, some of this information is able to move into long-term memory.

Zeigarnik , the psychologist who discovered this effect suggested that to complete a task creates underlying cognitive tension. This results in greater mental effort and rehearsal in order to keep the task at the forefront of awareness. Once completed, the mind is then able to let go of these efforts.

HOW CAN THIS EFFECT HELP US?







You can even use this psychological phenomenon to your advantage.

Smart Study Sessions

If you are studying for an exam, break up your study sessions rather than try to cram it all in the night before the test. By studying information in increments, you will be more likely to remember it until test day.

Rather than memorizing everything at once, take breaks in between, you’ll find yourself memorizing much affectively than before.

Overcome Procrastination

One way to overcome procrastination is to put the Zeigarnik effect to work. by taking the first step, no matter how small. Once you’ve begun but not finished your work, you will find yourself thinking of the task until, you finish it. You might not finish it all at once, but each small step you take puts you closer to your final goal.

This approach can not only help motivate you to finish, but it can also lead to a sense of accomplishment once you finally finish a job.which can help with other mental health related issues

Which brings us to our last point:-

Mental Well-Being

It can help in overcoming difficulties. Repeated thoughts can motivate people to finish the tasks they have started. Completing these tasks can then lead to feelings of accomplishment, self-esteem, and self-confidence

IN A NUTSHELL

The zeigarnik effect is not always beneficial, when you fail to complete a task, it can get pretty stressful for you and it can inturn effect your sleep as well as your mental health leading to anxiety.

However, the affect also plays a role in overcoming such difficulties . Repeated thoughts can make someone complete a task that they might not have completed otherwise.

Thankyou for reading.

I hope I’ve helped you, for any queries

DM me on Instagram or Quora I’ll be more than happy to help

The backyard psychologist

( whatever efforts are , they’re purely to help people in need , make your part by sharing this information so it can reach someone in need)

REFERENCES

https://tactics.convertize.com/definitions/zeigarnik-effect

https://lawsofux.com/zeigarnik-effect

https://www.psychologistworld.com/memory/zeigarnik-effect-interruptions-memory