Will Break for Productivity: Generalized Symptoms of Cognitive Depletion

TL;DR

This paper presents a unified analytical model of cognitive depletion symptoms in knowledge workers, aiming to predict when restorative actions are needed to improve wellbeing and performance.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive model of cognitive depletion symptoms, linking them to productivity and wellbeing, and discusses detection methods without self-assessment.

Findings

Unified model of cognitive depletion symptoms

Methods for detecting symptoms without self-report

Potential to improve worker wellbeing and productivity

Abstract

In this work, we address the symptoms of cognitive depletion as they relate to generalized knowledge workers. We unify previous findings within a single analytical model of cognitive depletion. Our purpose is to develop a model that will help us predict when a person has reached a sufficient state of cognitive depletion such that taking a break or some other restorative action will benefit both his or her own wellbeing and the quality of his or her performance. We provide a definition of each symptom in our model as well as the effect it would have on a knowledge worker's ability to work productively. We discuss methods to detect each symptom that do not require self assessment. Understanding symptoms of cognitive depletion provides the ability to support human knowledge workers by reducing the stress involved with cognitive and work overload while maintaining or improving the quality of their performance.