Zeigarnik's notion of need tension following task interruption was reexamined by comparing the time estimates of task-interrupted and task-completed groups (n = 15 each). Overestimation characterized the former and underestimation the latter group. Tasks with clear endpoints are thought to be associated with high morale.
References
1.
AlperT. G.Memory for completed and incompleted tasks as a function of personality. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 1946, 41, 403–420.
2.
FilerR. J., & MealsD. W.The effect of motivating conditions on the estimation of time. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1949, 39, 327–331.
3.
GulliksenH.The influence of occupation upon the perception of time. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1927, 10, 52–59.
4.
LewinK.Time perspective and morale. In WatsonC. (Ed.), Civilian morale. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1942. Pp. 48–70.
5.
RosenzweigS., & KohtA.The experience of duration as affected by need tension. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1933, 16, 745–774.
6.
WeybrewB.Accuracy of time estimation and muscular tension. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1963, 17, 118.
7.
WilcoxonF.Individual comparisons by ranking methods. Biometrika, 1945, 1, 80–83.
8.
ZeigarnikB.Über das Behalten von erledigten und unerledigten Handlungen. Psychologische Forschung, 1927, 9, 1–85.
