Psychology A-Level
cognitive overload
What cognitive overload means in Psychology A-Level, as defined for OCR.
Definition of cognitive overload
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain cognitive overload in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: OCR
A state arising from the limited capacity of attention and working memory and the cost of switching between sources, rather than simply having too much to do.
Topics that use cognitive overload
- Section B: Option 3 Environmental psychology (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- attitude behaviour gap
- biological responses
- conservation behaviour
- external time cues
- field experiment
- observation and reactivity
- office personalisation
- open plan and hot desking
Using cognitive overload in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
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