Why Do People Hate Being Interrupted?

People get annoyed when they're interrupted because their brain is trying to do one thing, and suddenly it has to switch to another. Imagine you're building a tower with your blocks, and someone says, 'Hey! What's your favorite color?' Your tower might fall, that’s like what happens in your brain.

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Examples

You're halfway through your favorite video game when your brother asks you a question.
Your teacher starts explaining math just as you finish solving a problem on your paper.
You’re in the middle of telling a story, and someone says, 'Wait, what did I say earlier?'

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Categories: Psychology · attention,cognitive load,interruptions,neuroscience