Cognitive overload
General scientific definition
Cognitive load theory (Sweller 1998, Orru & Longo 2019) explains that our working memory only has limited capacity to handle information at the same time. When people receive too much information or have too many tasks to handle they will start performing less, lose attention and experience negative emotions.
Relevant substantive theories
Cognitive load theory
Sources
Sweller, J. (1988). Cognitive load during problem solving: Effects on learning. Cognitive Science, 12(2), 257-285. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/0364-0213(88)90023-7
Orru, G., & Longo, L. (2019, 2018/9/20-21). The Evolution of Cognitive Load Theory and the Measurement of Its Intrinsic, Extraneous and Germane Loads: A Review. Paper presented at the Human Mental Workload: Models and Applications, Amsterdam.
Examples