The Zeigarnik Effect: Improve Cognitive Learning
User Blog #001
How many times have you heard ‘Make sure you take a break’ when studying. Probably a lot, right? Well, that’s because of the Zeigarnik effect. (And also so you don’t pop your bladder.)
In psychology, the Zeigarnik effect occurs when an activity that has been interrupted may be more readily recalled. This refers to people remembering unfinished tasks better than those that they’ve already completed. It was first researched by Lithuanian-Soviet psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik in 1927.
Understanding this theory:
First we need to understand ‘Lewin’s Theory’. ‘Lewin’s Theory’ states: “A task that has already been started establishes a task-specific tension, which improves cognitive accessibility of the relevant contents.” Simplified, this means that if you have already started a task, you’re going to better remember what you need to do as your mind is now subconsciously connected to it.
The tension is relieved upon task completion, however it is not if the task is incomplete due to interruption, thus furthered by the evidence shown by the Zeigarnik effect, where there is a stronger ability to recall the related information.
How does this relate to studying?
Let’s lay it out with an example:
You’re reading ‘1984’ by George Orwell and have to study the main concepts. One of them is the concept of ‘doublethink’.
As you’re analysing the key parts of the ‘doublethink’ concept and its implications on the overarching theme of the book, your Mum yells at you to empty the dishwasher. You have to leave your work alone for 5 minutes.
The Zeigarnik effect activates, and your brain keeps the analysis of the ‘doublethink’ passage in your thoughts. A cognitive sense of tension is created, as you’re not yet done fully understanding the topic and your brain keeps drawing back to it.
Even if you’re thinking about plates and silver ware, your mind is unconsciously reflecting on the significance of the ‘doublethink’ concept within the novel.
5 minutes later you return to your study session, and find that you have a deeper understanding of the concept and its connection to the story. Your brains engagement during your Mum’s (rude) interruption has allowed you to actually process the information more deeply.
With this enhanced insight, you’re more able to continue your analyse of key concepts. Your improved understanding of ‘doublethink’ allows for you to add depth to your overall interpretation of the story.
Now, obviously you can’t time it so that your Mum yells at you whenever you’re deep in thought. Here’s some other ways to activate the Zeigarnik effect (that are just as effective):
- Use ‘Interleaved Learning’: Instead of focusing on one topic until completion, switch between different topics or subjects during your study sessions. This can create a sense of incompleteness that engages the Zeigarnik effect and improves your retention.
- Take planned breaks.
- Use ‘Spaced Repetition’: Review material at increasing intervals over time. By intentionally leaving gaps between reviews, your brain is encouraged to recall and consolidate information that you’ve learned but haven’t fully mastered.
How to deal with the negative side of the Zeigarnik effect:
Think about when you’ve been studying for exams. That stress is no joke right? And when you shut down your laptop for the night, you’re thinking about how you didn’t get enough work done (even if you did). Well, writer Cal Newport outlines a ‘Shutdown Ritual’ to suppress this feeling and help get you a good nights sleep.
“…this ritual should ensure that every incomplete task, goal, or project has been reviewed and that for each you have confirmed that either (1) you have a plan you trust for its completion, or (2) it’s captured in a place where it will be revisited when the time is right. The process should be an algorithm: a series of steps you always conduct, one after another. When you’re done, have a set phrase you say that indicates completion (to end my own ritual, I say, “Shutdown Complete”). This final step sounds cheesy, but it provides a simple cue to your mind that it’s safe to release work related thoughts for the rest of the day.”
Conclusion
So, now you know the reason people say you should take study breaks (aside from the fact that your brain might go numb if you don’t) is actually to help you study better.
In short, the Zeigarnik effect suggests that students who suspend their study to perform unrelated activities, such as working on another subject or playing a game, are more likely to remember study material than those who don’t.
TL;DR: Lewin’s Theory states that if a task has been started, you’re more likely to remember the details of it due to mind-related tension. The Zeigarnik effect furthers this by stating that content (that has been started) is better recalled if it is interrupted whilst learning/studying it. Take intentional breaks when learning/consolidating content.
