HR Learning of the Day Zeigarnik Effect

1. Definition & Explanation:

The Zeigarnik Effect is the psychological tendency to remember unfinished or interrupted tasks better than completed ones, influencing motivation, learning, and productivity in workplace settings.

2. Origin & History:

Proposed by Russian psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik in the 1920s after observing waiters remembering unpaid orders better than settled ones. Her experiments confirmed that incomplete tasks stay active in memory.

3. Related Management Theories:

* Cognitive Load Theory

* Goal-Setting Theory

* Motivation-Hygiene Theory

* Attention Residue Theory

* Flow Theory

4. HR Usage for Organizational Benefit:

HRs use the Zeigarnik Effect by structuring tasks to keep employees engaged, using progress tracking, and leveraging unfinished goals to sustain motivation and productivity.

5. Pros & Cons:

Pros:

* Enhances motivation by keeping tasks mentally active.

* Improves learning retention and problem-solving.

* Encourages continuous engagement in projects.

Cons:

* Can cause anxiety due to lingering unfinished tasks.

* Leads to mental overload if multiple tasks remain incomplete.

* May reduce focus if interruptions become frequent.

6. Use Case Example:

HR implements a project management tool that highlights partially completed tasks with deadlines, ensuring employees stay motivated to finish pending work and reduce procrastination.

Please note that all HR Words have been Sourced from Google/Wikipedia and I copy from different places, edit using GenAI and share with everyone while learning something new everyday. Image Source ChatGPT

Have A Great HR Day

Regards

Dr. Vishal Verma