Why our brains love lists 为什么我们的大脑喜欢清单思维？

 

　　在日常工作和生活中，我们难免会因为需要完成大量的任务而感到大脑 “超负荷”。怎样才能从容地管理工作和生活中的方方面面？不妨列一张待办事项清单。有了它，我们不仅办事更有条理，还能有序地推进所制定的各项计划。同时，每划掉一项任务就能获得一点成就感，可以稍感放松，因为研究表明，人们记住待办事项的能力要强于记住已完成事项的能力。本期 “随身英语” 节目探讨为什么大脑喜欢清单思维。

　　词汇：productivity 效率

　　Productivity can be a struggle for many of us. Overflowing¹ email inboxes, housework, social obligations – it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. However, one simple tool that can help us stay on top of everything is the to-do list. Write it down, do the tasks and cross them off – simple!

　　There are three key reasons why lists are beneficial, according to psychologist and author David Cohen. Firstly, they help to drown out the chaos² and anxiety that comes with having never-ending tasks. By writing everything down, we don't have to rely on our memory and can instead focus on the task at hand. Secondly³, lists provide structure and guidance, giving us a plan to follow. As well as this, our brains are more likely to retain information that is presented in a structured and organised manner. And finally, lists serve as proof of what we have achieved, which can help boost our sense of accomplishment⁴ and motivation.

　　Another possible reason our brains love lists is because of something called the 'Zeigarnik Effect'. This is the name psychologists use for when we remember things we need to do, our unfinished tasks, better than things we have already completed. Researchers from Wake Forest University tested the interference of the Zeigarnik effect on a group of people. The experiment began with a warm-up task, though it was stopped half-way through, and only some people were allowed to make plans to finish it. The researchers found that the group permitted to plan had reduced anxiety and performed better in the second task. The problem was, the others still had the warm-up task stuck in their active memory – an unticked list of tasks. So, once we tick something off our list, our brain forgets about it and we can relax.

　　All in all, it seems lists are a valuable tool for staying on top of life!

　　词汇表

　　productivity 效率

　　overflowing 爆满的，装满了的

　　overwhelmed 难以承受的，不知所措的

　　tool 方法，工具

　　to-do list 待办事项清单

　　task 任务

　　cross off （从清单上）划掉

　　drown out 盖过，压过

　　never-ending 没完没了的

　　write down 写下，记下

　　at hand 手头的，手边的

　　structure 条理，结构

　　retain 记住

　　structured 有条理的，结构清晰的

　　organised 有条不紊的，安排有序的

　　proof 证明

　　accomplishment 成就

　　motivation 动力

　　unfinished 未完成的

　　interference 干扰，干预

　　active memory 短期记忆

　　unticked 未（在清单上）勾掉的

　　tick off 在（清单上）勾掉

　　stay on top of 时时关注，掌握最新进展

 

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