MENTAL MODEL · M0084

Attention Residue

Learn & MetacognitionHigh supportCognitive Psychology

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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Attention residue is a task-switching phenomenon studied by Sophie Leroy: a person has begun Task B but is still thinking about the earlier Task A and cannot fully engage with the current task. Incomplete work and anticipated time pressure on returning can influence it; not every switch causes the same loss.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Deep work protection. Avoid frequent rapid switching (e.g., checking emails, phone). Arrange large blocks of uninterrupted time for single tasks to reduce cognitive loss.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Concern about incomplete work and time pressure on returning may persist into the next task, limiting its information processing. The ready-to-resume plan studied by Leroy and Glomb briefly records resumption cues to help set the old task aside; it is not the same tested intervention as a generic relaxation ritual.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

When work must be interrupted, take less than a minute to write where you stopped, the next action, remaining challenges, and when or under what conditions you will resume. Save this ready-to-resume plan before switching, then observe whether thoughts still return to the old task rather than treating the plan as a guaranteed ritual.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

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Source support: Explicit

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en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeigarnik_effectEN · Explicit
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uwb.eduhttps://www.uwb.edu/news/2019/02/12/task-interruptedEN
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uwb.eduhttps://www.uwb.edu/news/2024/05/17/an-ongoing-study-on-the-success-of-staying-focusedEN
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