On Cognitive Load

[holland]

Also known as Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), cognitive load measures the amount of mental energy involved in executing a process. It's broadly grouped into three categories:

Germane Load pertains to the cognitive load involved in thinking through a recurring schema or symbol being used during a process, as discussed Miller's Law and the 6x6x6 Rule. It can be reduced through the careful chunking of information and training skills to the level of automaticity.

Intrinsic Load pertains to the cognitive load involved in applying a process to a concept. Some processes will require juggling more non-recurring information -- such as formulas with many variables whose values change from one use to the next -- limiting the scope of the germane load that can be retained in working memory during the process.

Extraneous Load pertains to the cognitive load involved in parsing the information being used, one's surrounding environment, or managing one's mental and physical state. For example, a poorly phrased explanation, a cluttered desk, phone notifications, pain or illness, and anxious thoughts can use up mental energy that would otherwise be available to the germane and intrinsic loads.

(High extraneous loads can be quite insidious because we are not consciously aware of them; a student becomes distraught that they are struggling to focus on art when the reason is unrelated to the art process itself, but instead has to do with chronic pain they don't have the vocabularly to explain yet, or stress in the home they don't realize has any connection. It feels like they're not thinking at all, but their cognitive load is being used up by countless subconscious thoughts they just can't identify and reflect on.)

These categories are then applied to three different areas of memory:

Working Memory refers to what you are conscious thinking of at any one time, which is limited to 7+-2 items. Your germane load typically occupies most of this during simple tasks, while your intrinsic load occupies most of it during complex tasks.

Sensory Memory refers to what you think about subconsciously as your body is experiencing its surroundings and processing the current experience. Your extraneous load typically occupies most of this. In the context of storytelling, the tension (stress induced by the story) is what occupies this area the most.

Long-Term Memory refers to the information you store for long-term use. This includes all your schemas and large amounts of information that is not directly contributing to your current cognitive load. However, having poorly structured chunks in your long-term memory can raise cognitive load by requiring you to check your notes or spend a lot of time and stress struggling to remember something, distracting you from the task at hand.