Cognitive overload refers to a state in which an individual's mental resources are overwhelmed by task demands, leading to impairments in attention, memory, and executive functioning.
Cognitive overload may appear in high-stress environments, such as educational or occupational settings, where sustained mental effort may interact with psychological and physiological stress indicators.
Minkley, Xu, and Krell (2021) conducted a study to examine associations between cognitive load and stress among secondary students engaged in a complex molecular biology project. Using both subjective measures (self-reports of mental effort and mental load) and objective physiological indicators (heart rate variability), they found that stress significantly intensified the perceived cognitive load. Perceived stress was a stronger predictor of task performance than physiological data, underscoring the primacy of subjective experience in cognitive strain. Additionally, individual differences such as interest and academic self-concept mediated the effects of stress on cognitive processing.
These findings support the hypothesis that stress does not merely co-occur with cognitive overload but can amplify its negative impact on learning and task execution. Educators and organizational leaders should consider both emotional and cognitive variables when designing high-stakes environments, as interventions targeting self-perception may help buffer the effects of overload.
Cite this post
Sutton, G.W. (2025, July 5). Cognitive offloading: An overview. Psychology concepts and theories. https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2025/07/cognitive-overload-overview.html
Cognitive Load and Related Concepts
Cognitive Load and Cognitive Load Theory
Self-Interruptions and Cognition
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Geoffrey W. Sutton, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Evangel University, holds a master’s degree in counseling and a PhD in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His postdoctoral work encompassed education and supervision in forensic and neuropsychology. As a licensed psychologist, he conducted clinical and neuropsychological evaluations and provided psychotherapy for patients in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and private offices. During his tenure as a professor, Dr. Sutton taught courses on psychotherapy, assessment, and research. He has authored over one hundred publications, including books, book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed psychology journals. His website is https://suttong.com
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References
Minkley, N., Xu, K. M., & Krell, M. (2021). Analyzing relationships between causal and assessment factors of cognitive load: Associations between objective and subjective measures of cognitive load, stress, interest, and self-concept. Frontiers in Education, 6, Article 632907. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.632907
Sutton, G.W. (2025, July 5). Cognitive offloading: An overview. Psychology concepts and theories. https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2025/07/cognitive-overload-overview.html
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