The Zeigarnik Effect is the ability of the brain to more readily recall a task that was interrupted or left in complete as opposed to one that was completed. Bluma Zeigarnik discovered this effect. She performed experiments of this tendency of the brain after her professor had observed that a waiter remembers details of an unpaid order as to a paid one. She published her findings in a 1927 journal.
A tool for studying:
By using this method, a student can remember information much better. This effects states that a student who stops studying in between the study session to perform and unrelated task like walking, eating or playing a game, will remember the information that was studied much better than the student who completes an entire study session.
Reduces productivity:
However, this might affect productivity as found by E.J. Masicampo and Roy F. Baumeister. They found that an incomplete task prevents and distracts people from completing a new task. This happens as unfinished goals inactivate the brain from performing cognitive processes that usually help to complete a task successfully.
To-Do lists:
These researchers also found that making to-do lists and plans for the future to complete the incomplete tasks helps to reduce the effect of distraction caused by the Zeigarnik Effect. Committing to a specific plan helps to achieve a goal and also frees up cognitive resources to focus on doing those goals.
Paawni Goyal 