COGNITIVE APPROACH - Cognitive Load Theory (Sana et al, 2013)

18 important questions on COGNITIVE APPROACH - Cognitive Load Theory (Sana et al, 2013)

What are cognitive misers and why do we use mental shortcuts?

Cognitive misers describe the how humans have the natural tendecy of conserving mental energy.
We choose not to actively process information to save time and effort. Mental shortcuts help in decision-making due to knowledge, motivation, and economy.

What is the role of working memory in learning according to Cognitive Load Theory?

Information is processed in the working memory, where we hold small amounts of new information for a very short time.

What are the three types of cognitive load?

  1. Intrinsic load: Complexity of the material itself.
  2. Extraneous load: Results from distractions or poor design.
  3. Germane load: Helps brain organize and connect new information.
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What type of experiment was conducted for the peer-distraction part?

A controlled classroom-style experiment was conducted for the peer-distraction part. It is a quantitative study because performance was measured with test scores.

How does learning occur in the context of Cognitive Load Theory?

Learning happens when we successfully transfer new information from our working memory into our long-term memory. This transfer is crucial for effective learning.

How does cognitive load affect learning and performance?

  • Cognitive load interferes with learning, decision making, and performance.
  • High cognitive load leads to frustration and demotivation.
  • Slower problem solving occurs with high load.

How many students were in the sample, and what was the sampling method?

The sample was 44 undergraduate psychology students. It was most likely an opportunity/volunteer sample, as university students are easy to recruit from a psychology subject pool.

What is the function of long-term memory in the learning process?

Information is organized and stored in our long-term memory in 'schemas.' A schema can be very simple or very complex, allowing us to handle large amounts of information.

What is Cognitive Load Theory? (proposed by John Sweller)

Cognitive Load Theory states that human learning is limited by the capacity of working memory. It suggests that to maximize learning, instruction must be designed to avoid overloading this mental capacity

What are the two conditions across the study regarding multitasking?

The two conditions are whether students multitasked while listening to the lecture or only listened, and whether students could see a peer using technology during the lecture or not.

How can optimizing load benefit working memory?

Information stored in long-term memory can reduce the load on working memory. There are no limits to working memory when dealing with familiar information.

What was the aim of the study on multitasking in class?

The aim was to investigate if multitasking in class increases cognitive load, lowers lecture comprehension, and if seeing another student use technology reduces learning.

What is the independent variable in this study?

The independent variable is the presence of multitasking / technology distraction. It includes conditions of multitasking and seeing a peer using technology during the lecture.

What type of research was conducted for the multitasking study?

A laboratory experiment was conducted for the multitasking part of the study.

What happens when working memory is overloaded?

Learning can be slowed down or stopped if our working memory is overloaded, such as when we have to process too much new information at once.

What is the dependent variable in this study?

The dependent variable is the test score on lecture comprehension, which measures how well students understood and remembered the meteorology lecture.

What do cognitive psychologists Fiske and Taylor (1991) say about information processing?

Cognitive psychologists recognize that we are being given new information daily. We would be overwhelmed if we paid attention to every stimuli around us.

What are some of the control variables in this study?

Control variables included:
  • Same PowerPoint lecture on meteorology.
  • Same lecture content for everyone.
  • Same test of comprehension.
  • Same lecture setting.
  • Same time allowed for listening and testing.
  • Same type of technology task for the multitasking group.

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