Cognitive Load Theory: MCQ Test on Working Memory and Learning

Questions (30)

1. What does cognitive load refer to?

   • a) The amount of information a person can hold in their long-term memory
   • b) The amount of mental effort used during problem-solving
   • c) The capacity of sensory memory
   • d) The ability to retrieve information from memory
   View Answer

   Correct The amount of mental effort used during problem-solving

2. What is the central idea of cognitive load theory?

   • a) The learning process is unaffected by memory limitations
   • b) Human cognitive processing capacity is limited and affects learning
   • c) Information is learned best through trial and error
   • d) People can multitask efficiently without cognitive overload
   View Answer

   Correct Human cognitive processing capacity is limited and affects learning

3. The term "intrinsic cognitive load" refers to:

   • a) The mental effort required to process new information
   • b) The mental effort required to process unfamiliar or complex tasks
   • c) The mental effort used to retrieve information from long-term memory
   • d) The effect of extraneous information on working memory
   View Answer

   Correct The mental effort required to process unfamiliar or complex tasks

4. What is extraneous cognitive load?

   • a) The cognitive effort associated with learning material
   • b) The cognitive load created by irrelevant or unnecessary information
   • c) The cognitive effort involved in recalling information from memory
   • d) The cognitive load associated with well-organized information
   View Answer

   Correct The cognitive load created by irrelevant or unnecessary information

5. What is germane cognitive load?

   • a) The cognitive load related to irrelevant information
   • b) The cognitive effort used to create new learning schemas
   • c) The cognitive load involved in storing information in long-term memory
   • d) The mental effort required to deal with distractions
   View Answer

   Correct The cognitive effort used to create new learning schemas

6. Which of the following best describes working memory?

   • a) A storage system for long-term information
   • b) A mental system that handles sensory input
   • c) A cognitive system that processes and temporarily holds information
   • d) A cognitive system that processes learned knowledge
   View Answer

   Correct A cognitive system that processes and temporarily holds information

7. The capacity of working memory is best described as:

   • a) Unlimited
   • b) Limited to about 7 ± 2 chunks of information
   • c) A fixed capacity that cannot be increased
   • d) Unaffected by the amount of information processed
   View Answer

   Correct Limited to about 7 ± 2 chunks of information

8. What is the role of long-term memory in cognitive load theory?

   • a) It plays no role in learning processes
   • b) It stores information that has been processed by working memory
   • c) It is the primary source of all new learning
   • d) It is responsible for cognitive overload
   View Answer

   Correct It stores information that has been processed by working memory

9. Which type of cognitive load is reduced by breaking down complex tasks into simpler steps?

   • a) Intrinsic cognitive load
   • b) Germane cognitive load
   • c) Extraneous cognitive load
   • d) Long-term memory load
   View Answer

   Correct Intrinsic cognitive load

10. The split-attention effect occurs when:

    • a) Visual and auditory information are integrated seamlessly
    • b) The learner is presented with too much information in one format
    • c) The learner must split attention between multiple sources of information
    • d) The learner is distracted by irrelevant material
    View Answer

    Correct The learner must split attention between multiple sources of information

11. What is the worked example effect?

    • a) Learning is more effective when learners work on problems without prior examples
    • b) Learning is enhanced when learners study worked examples before problem-solving
    • c) Learning is enhanced when learners engage in complex problem-solving tasks
    • d) Learning is not affected by the presence of worked examples
    View Answer

    Correct Learning is enhanced when learners study worked examples before problem-solving

12. Which principle of cognitive load theory involves presenting information in both visual and verbal forms?

    • a) The redundancy effect
    • b) The multimedia principle
    • c) The split-attention effect
    • d) The modality effect
    View Answer

    Correct The multimedia principle

13. What does the modality effect suggest?

    • a) Learning is better when information is presented visually only
    • b) Learning is more effective when information is presented both visually and auditorily
    • c) Learning is more effective when information is presented in written form only
    • d) Learning is better when learners process information through written text
    View Answer

    Correct Learning is more effective when information is presented both visually and auditorily

14. What is the goal of cognitive load theory in educational settings?

    • a) To increase the amount of information processed by long-term memory
    • b) To reduce the amount of irrelevant or unnecessary cognitive load
    • c) To encourage learners to multitask during problem-solving
    • d) To increase intrinsic cognitive load for better retention
    View Answer

    Correct To reduce the amount of irrelevant or unnecessary cognitive load

15. The redundancy effect occurs when:

    • a) Information is presented in multiple formats without adding value
    • b) The same information is repeated without further elaboration
    • c) Learners are provided with extra visual aids to reduce cognitive load
    • d) Learners are given simple tasks to engage their cognitive processes
    View Answer

    Correct Information is presented in multiple formats without adding value

16. The cognitive load theory suggests that learning will be most effective when:

    • a) Cognitive overload is maximized
    • b) Information is structured and presented in manageable chunks
    • c) Learners are given continuous distractions to stimulate memory
    • d) The material is presented in a challenging and complex format
    View Answer

    Correct Information is structured and presented in manageable chunks

17. What does the theory of cognitive load suggest about the importance of schema development?

    • a) Schema development should be avoided to reduce memory overload
    • b) Schema development is irrelevant to the learning process
    • c) Schema development allows learners to organize information efficiently and reduce cognitive load
    • d) Schema development should occur after cognitive overload occurs
    View Answer

    Correct Schema development allows learners to organize information efficiently and reduce cognitive load

18. What is a key element of the cognitive load theory regarding cognitive effort?

    • a) Cognitive effort should always be maximized for learning
    • b) Cognitive effort should only be focused on processing sensory input
    • c) Cognitive effort should be managed to prevent cognitive overload
    • d) Cognitive effort has no effect on learning outcomes
    View Answer

    Correct Cognitive effort should be managed to prevent cognitive overload

19. The cognitive load theory emphasizes the importance of:

    • a) Multitasking to increase cognitive load
    • b) Providing visual and auditory information simultaneously to support learning
    • c) Reducing cognitive effort by simplifying tasks and instructions
    • d) Presenting information in a random and unstructured format
    View Answer

    Correct Reducing cognitive effort by simplifying tasks and instructions

20. What is the role of automation in cognitive load theory?

    • a) Automation reduces the need for cognitive processing in tasks that are practiced
    • b) Automation increases cognitive load by requiring multitasking
    • c) Automation allows learners to avoid long-term memory storage
    • d) Automation does not impact cognitive load or learning efficiency
    View Answer

    Correct Automation reduces the need for cognitive processing in tasks that are practiced

21. Which of the following is true about cognitive load theory and working memory?

    • a) Working memory has unlimited capacity for processing complex tasks
    • b) Working memory is crucial in processing information but has limited capacity
    • c) Working memory is not involved in learning processes
    • d) Working memory only processes information without making decisions
    View Answer

    Correct Working memory is crucial in processing information but has limited capacity

22. The process of cognitive offloading is best described as:

    • a) Offloading memory tasks to external tools to reduce cognitive load
    • b) Keeping all mental tasks within working memory for efficient processing
    • c) Engaging in multitasking to enhance memory retention
    • d) Using irrelevant information to ease the cognitive process
    View Answer

    Correct Offloading memory tasks to external tools to reduce cognitive load

23. What is the effect of cognitive overload on learning?

    • a) Cognitive overload improves memory retention
    • b) Cognitive overload can hinder learning by overwhelming working memory
    • c) Cognitive overload is not related to the learning process
    • d) Cognitive overload improves long-term memory storage
    View Answer

    Correct Cognitive overload can hinder learning by overwhelming working memory

24. The modality effect occurs when:

    • a) Information is presented only in text form
    • b) Information is presented in both auditory and visual formats
    • c) Information is overloaded to improve memory retention
    • d) Information is presented without any supporting material
    View Answer

    Correct Information is presented in both auditory and visual formats

25. According to cognitive load theory, which of the following is true?

    • a) Working memory has unlimited capacity
    • b) Cognitive load is affected by the complexity of the task
    • c) Long-term memory cannot store information
    • d) Working memory can hold an infinite amount of information
    View Answer

    Correct Cognitive load is affected by the complexity of the task

26. According to cognitive load theory, how can cognitive overload be avoided?

    • a) By increasing the intrinsic cognitive load
    • b) By reducing extraneous cognitive load
    • c) By using more visual aids and distractions
    • d) By increasing the complexity of tasks
    View Answer

    Correct By reducing extraneous cognitive load

27. According to cognitive load theory, what is a key strategy for reducing cognitive load during learning?

    • a) Providing learners with as much information as possible
    • b) Using techniques to simplify complex information and tasks
    • c) Giving learners problems to solve before explaining the concepts
    • d) Allowing learners to study independently without guidance
    View Answer

    Correct Using techniques to simplify complex information and tasks

28. Which strategy is most effective for minimizing cognitive load in learners?

    • a) Giving learners all the information at once to make connections
    • b) Providing information in smaller, manageable steps and guiding the learning process
    • c) Encouraging learners to process complex information without assistance
    • d) Making information more difficult to process to increase memory retention
    View Answer

    Correct Providing information in smaller, manageable steps and guiding the learning process

29. What is the effect of cognitive overload on learning?

    • a) Cognitive overload improves memory retention
    • b) Cognitive overload can hinder learning by overwhelming working memory
    • c) Cognitive overload is not related to the learning process
    • d) Cognitive overload improves long-term memory storage
    View Answer

    Correct Cognitive overload can hinder learning by overwhelming working memory

30. The modality effect occurs when:

    • a) Information is presented only in text form
    • b) Information is presented in both auditory and visual formats
    • c) Information is overloaded to improve memory retention
    • d) Information is presented without any supporting material
    View Answer

    Correct Information is presented in both auditory and visual formats