Cognitive load

Definition

Cognitive load refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. It highlights how our brain processes and manages information when learning new concepts or skills. Understanding cognitive load is crucial in creating narratives that do not overwhelm the audience, allowing them to engage more effectively with innovative storytelling techniques.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cognitive load theory suggests that learning is more effective when the material presented does not exceed the learner's working memory capacity.
2. There are three types of cognitive load: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane, each impacting how information is processed and retained.
3. In narrative structures, managing cognitive load can enhance audience engagement by ensuring that they can follow complex plots without becoming confused.
4. Innovative narrative techniques often aim to reduce cognitive overload by pacing information and presenting it in digestible formats.
5. Effective use of cognitive load principles can help storytellers create immersive experiences that foster deeper emotional connections with the audience.

Review Questions

• How does cognitive load influence a viewer's ability to process complex narratives?
  • Cognitive load significantly affects a viewer's ability to process complex narratives because it determines how much information they can hold and manipulate in their working memory. When narratives present too much information at once, it can lead to confusion or disengagement. Therefore, understanding and managing cognitive load helps storytellers create engaging plots that maintain audience interest while ensuring clarity.
• Discuss how intrinsic and extraneous cognitive loads can impact the effectiveness of innovative narrative techniques.
  • Intrinsic cognitive load relates to the complexity of the story being told, while extraneous cognitive load concerns how that story is presented. If a narrative technique is too complex for the audience's prior knowledge, intrinsic load can hinder comprehension. Meanwhile, if unnecessary information or distractions are included in the presentation, extraneous load increases, further complicating understanding. Thus, both types of cognitive load need to be carefully balanced to enhance the effectiveness of innovative storytelling.
• Evaluate the role of germane cognitive load in enhancing audience engagement through innovative narratives.
  • Germane cognitive load plays a crucial role in enhancing audience engagement by fostering deeper learning and connection with the narrative. When designed effectively, innovative storytelling techniques can increase germane load by encouraging audiences to make connections between story elements and their own experiences. This active engagement not only aids retention but also transforms passive viewing into an immersive experience where audiences feel more invested in characters and plots, ultimately leading to a richer storytelling experience.

Related terms

Working Memory: The part of short-term memory that is concerned with immediate conscious perceptual and linguistic processing.

Intrinsic Load: The inherent difficulty of the material being learned, which depends on the complexity of the content and the learner's prior knowledge.

Extraneous Load: The unnecessary cognitive burden imposed by poorly designed instructional materials or methods that do not support effective learning.