New research suggests that mental exertion is often associated with unpleasant feelings such as stress and irritation, challenging the notion that people enjoy mentally demanding tasks. A meta-analysis of 170 studies found a consistent link between mental effort and discomfort across diverse populations and tasks. Interestingly, this aversive effect was less pronounced in Asian countries, possibly due to different cultural attitudes towards education. Despite the discomfort, people still engage in challenging tasks for potential rewards, indicating that the motivation may lie in the benefits rather than the effort itself.
