P1A: Cognitive load
Below you will find three sample responses for the following Paper 1, Section A question: Explain cognitive load theory with reference to one example of how it helps us to understand human cognition.
For each sample, decide the score it would receive and justify your answer. Then look at the feedback in the hidden box.
Sample 1
Cognitive load theory shows how doing many things at once can affect our memories. This is important for students who are studying. If too much is going on in the background, this extraneous cognitive load can affect how we learn. It is best to turn off your phone and study in a quiet room, as technology is one of the worst things for cognitive load. It has been proven that using your phone in class affects your working memory negatively.
One example is the study by Sana et al., who found that students who had their phones on during a university presentation remembered very little of it, as using their phone created extraneous cognitive load that negatively affected their memory by splitting their attention.
This response shows some understanding of cognitive load theory, but it doesn't clearly explain the theory and is too limited. The example is relevant, but described somewhat inaccurately.
Score: 1/4
Sample 2
Cognitive load theory argues that working memory is limited, and if it is overloaded through a very difficult task or by multitasking, this reduces the available working memory. A difficult task is an example of intrinsic cognitive load because the nature of the task challenges us cognitively. Multitasking is an example of extraneous cognitive load, as the additional tasks are extra to the memory task we are doing. Germane cognitive load is the mental effort we put into understanding information and developing knowledge or skills. For example, learning to drive requires considerable mental effort as we develop the skills needed to control a car. With experience, these skills become more automatic, reducing the mental effort needed to drive. Alone or together, these types of cognitive load can overload working memory.
Sana et al. conducted a study to see how multitasking affected cognitive load and found that students who solved problems on their computers while listening to a presentation recalled much less of the presentation content than those who were not multitasking. They suggested that the extraneous cognitive load of problem-solving created cognitive overload that negatively affected their working memories.
This is a strong response that provides a detailed description of cognitive load theory that shows good knowledge and understanding and explains the three different types of cognitive load. The example is relevant and linked directly to extraneous cognitive load.
Score: 4/4 marks
Sample 3
Cognitive load theory argues that humans have limited working memory that can be negatively affected when overloaded. This can happen when multitasking or worrying about something other than your studies (extraneous cognitive load), or when a cognitive task is very difficult (intrinsic cognitive load). Another type of cognitive load, called germane cognitive load, is the mental effort needed to process information and develop understanding. This can vary between people.
An example of germane cognitive load is when an experienced mathematician can solve a math problem with less mental effort than someone who is less skilled at math. Extraneous cognitive load affects working memory by distracting attention from the main task, such as when trying to do other things at the same time. Intrinsic cognitive load is the inherent difficulty of a task, such as trying to translate a difficult text accurately. When combined, these three types of cognitive load can overload working memory and reduce its efficiency in completing the main task.
The response demonstrates detailed knowledge of cognitive load theory. It explains the limited capacity of working memory and accurately identifies the three types of cognitive load, with relevant explanations of each. The final sentence also explains how cognitive overload can reduce the efficiency of working memory.
The response provides more than one relevant example. Only the first one is assessed (solving a math problem). However, the example of the experienced mathematician is not well developed as an illustration of germane cognitive load. It could be improved by explaining how prior knowledge reduces the intrinsic cognitive load associated with solving a mathematical problem.
Score: 3/4 marks