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This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
Have you ever left a task unfinished, and then it keeps coming back to your mind, not giving you peace? Perhaps it was an unwritten article, a forgotten task at work, or a promise that was not fulfilled? No matter how hard you try to distract yourself, this thought does not leave you. This phenomenon that we often experience is named after the Soviet psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik and is known as the Zeigarnik effect.
What is the Zeigarnik effect?
The Zeigarnik effect is a psychological phenomenon where unfinished tasks or matters are remembered much better than completed ones. In other words, the more something is left unfinished, the more our mind tends to retain information about it, trying to reach a logical conclusion. This is a phenomenon that we all experience, even if we cannot always explain why we cannot get rid of thoughts about the unfinished.
How does it work?
Before considering why we cannot leave the unfinished in peace, let’s look at the experiment that uncovered this phenomenon. Bluma Zeigarnik, working in the 1920s at a university, conducted a series of studies where she asked participants to perform various tasks. After the participants completed part of the tasks, Zeigarnik allowed them to pause without finishing them. It turned out that participants remembered the unfinished tasks much better than those that were completed.
This may seem illogical. How can it be that unfinished tasks are remembered better than completed ones? The answer lies in psychology: our brain, retaining unfinished information, considers it more important for further processing, striving for completion. This is an inherent property of our thinking that helps us organize and close important matters to avoid discomfort or worries.
Why does this happen?
The Zeigarnik effect is based on the need for closure – the desire to complete what has been started. Our brain feels internal discomfort until the task is completed, and that is why it constantly returns to it, triggering thoughts about the unfinished. This can be compared to an open tab in a browser: when you haven't closed it, your attention will keep returning to that unfinished matter, even if you don't want it to.
An important part of this effect is that unfinished tasks not only occupy our thoughts but also cause emotional tension. This can lead to anxiety or stress, as the brain tries to find a solution for its completion.
The Zeigarnik effect in real life
We encounter this psychological phenomenon every day. Here are a few examples of where the Zeigarnik effect is observed in real life:
- Unfinished work tasks. If you leave a project at work half-finished, it will constantly distract you until you complete it. Even if you have other important tasks, your mind will keep returning to what is unfinished.
- Anxious thoughts after a conversation. After a discussion where you didn’t express all your thoughts or couldn’t achieve clarity, the conversation may leave an unpleasant impression in your mind. You think about it again and again, trying to find an answer to the questions or a continuation of that discussion.
- Unfinished creative projects. Perhaps you have postponed writing an article, a book, or a painting, and now your mind keeps returning to this unfinished work, not giving you peace.
- Personal relationships. If there are unfinished conversations or unexpressed emotions, this can create an unclear tension that prevents you from moving forward.
How to use the Zeigarnik effect to your advantage?
This phenomenon can not only be explained but also used to enhance productivity. Here are a few ways to do this:
- Break large tasks into smaller ones. If you have a large task ahead of you, break it down into smaller stages. This way, you will constantly feel satisfaction from small achievements and are likely to maintain focus.
- Start new tasks. Instead of constantly postponing tasks, start working on them. Even a few minutes of work on a project can help the brain “anchor” the beginning and motivate you to finish.
- Use this effect in marketing. The Zeigarnik effect is actively used by marketers. For example, unresolved conflicts or intrigues are often used in television shows to capture viewers' attention, as unfinished moments do not give peace, prompting continued observation.
- Close open tasks. If you feel that it is difficult for you to complete a task, try to set aside time to finish it. Completing a task often brings a sense of relief and frees the mind from unnecessary stress.
This phenomenon reminds us of the importance of completing what we start and gives us more control over our lives.
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