Perceptions and persistence

The present dissertation explores two research topics: The perceptions during the hypnagogic state and the persistence of incompleted intentions. The hypnagogic state refers to the transition between wakefulness and sleep, in which vivid perceptions can occur across all modalities. A literature review identified a lack of consensus on their definition, prevalence and characteristics. A subsequent questionnaire study assessed their prevalence, modality, and characteristics compared to other phenomena. Hypnagogic states occurred quite frequently in the population, characterized by a predominant emergence in the kinaesthetic modality. Regarding the persistence of unfinished intentions, the focus was put on the memory advantage of interrupted tasks, called the Zeigarnik effect, and the tendency to resume interrupted tasks, called the Ovsiankina effect. To investigate both effects, a meta-analytical approach was employed, with a subsequent experimental replication attempt using videogames. Results showed a general resumption tendency of unfinished intentions, but no memory advantage. Following these results, the memory advantage was investigated using anagrams. Here, a memory advantage of interrupted tasks could be observed but could not be related to the Zeigarnik effect, questioning the effect's validity. Finally, research into the phenomenology and function of the hypnagogic state seems particularly promising. Regarding unfinished intentions, research should focus on their underlying neurological mechanisms, as their resumption tendency seems apparent and their memory advantage unreplicable.

2023

dissertation

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