Balancing the Mental Scales: Cognitive Load Theory in Design
After discussing the 4 principles that make up the 10 key principles of psychology behind design in the previous 4 articles, we come to point number 5: Cognitive Load Theory. This principle delves into the intricate workings of the human mind and how we process information, offering crucial insights for designers aiming to create intuitive and efficient user experiences.
Imagine you’re trying to solve a complex math problem while simultaneously listening to a podcast and keeping an eye on your phone for an important message. Chances are, you’d struggle to perform well in any of these tasks. This scenario illustrates the concept of cognitive load — the total amount of mental effort being used in your working memory.
Cognitive Load Theory, developed by John Sweller in the late 1980s, posits that our working memory has a limited capacity when it comes to processing information. When this capacity is exceeded, learning and performance suffer (Sweller, 1988). For designers, understanding this theory is crucial in creating interfaces and experiences that don’t overwhelm users’ cognitive resources.
The Three Types of Cognitive Load
Sweller identified three types of cognitive load:
- Intrinsic Load: This is the inherent…
