Cognitive Strain as a Factor in Effective Document Design
http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/263367.263368
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  peer-reviewed

Albers, Michael J.
ACM SIGDOC
1997

Abstract:

People have a limited amount of cognitive resources. Coping with the increasing amount of information presented via a software interface strains a user’s cognitive resources. If a person has to use documentation, whether on-line or paper, additional cognitive resources are consumed, often overloading the user. Using several windows or multi-media elements can compound the problem. Unfortunately, as Wickens (1992) states, humans are unable to manage excessive cognitive strain and they respond by getting frustrated, committing errors, shedding tasks, or reverting to known methods.