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| Cognitive Spillover 2025 by Geoffrey W. Sutton & Microsoft CoPilot |
Cognitive Spillover: An Overview
Cognitive spillover refers to the transfer of cognitive states, strategies, or emotional responses from one task or domain to another, often unintentionally.
This phenomenon can occur across various contexts—such as from work to home life, or between sequential cognitive tasks—and may influence performance, decision-making, or emotional regulation (Sonnentag & Fritz, 2015).
In cognitive psychology, spillover is often discussed in relation to executive control and affective states. For example, engaging in a demanding cognitive task may deplete self-regulatory resources, leading to impaired performance on subsequent tasks—a concept aligned with ego depletion theory (Baumeister et al., 2007). Conversely, positive cognitive spillover can occur when skills or strategies learned in one context enhance performance in another.
Spillover effects are also relevant in occupational and health psychology. For instance, cognitive demands at work may spill over into non-work domains, affecting sleep quality, emotional well-being, or interpersonal functioning (Cropley & Zijlstra, 2011). Understanding these dynamics is crucial for designing interventions that promote cognitive recovery and boundary management.
Cite this post
Sutton, G.W. (2025, July 5). Cognitive spillover: An overview. Psychology concepts and theories. https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2025/07/cognitive-spillover-overview.html
Post Author
Geoffrey W. Sutton, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Evangel University, holds a master’s degree in counseling and a PhD in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His postdoctoral work encompassed education and supervision in forensic and neuropsychology. As a licensed psychologist, he conducted clinical and neuropsychological evaluations and provided psychotherapy for patients in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and private offices. During his tenure as a professor, Dr. Sutton taught courses on psychotherapy, assessment, and research. He has authored over one hundred publications, including books, book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed psychology journals. His website is https://suttong.com
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Cognitive Load and Related Concepts
Cognitive Load and Cognitive Load Theory
Self-Interruptions and Cognition
References
Baumeister, R. F., Vohs, K. D., & Tice, D. M. (2007). The strength model of self-control. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 16(6), 351–355. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2007.00534.x
Cropley, M., Zijlstra, F. R. H., Querstret, D., & Beck, S. (2016). Is work-related rumination associated with deficits in executive functioning? Frontiers in Psychology, 7, Article 1524. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01524
Sonnentag, S., & Fritz, C. (2015). Recovery from job stress: The stressor–detachment model as an integrative framework. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 36(S1), S72–S103. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.1924
Sutton, G.W. (2025, July 5). Cognitive spillover: An overview. Psychology concepts and theories. https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2025/07/cognitive-spillover-overview.html
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