Cognitive Load Theory Explained | Presentations and Public Speaking

The theory states that there is only a limited amount of information the human brain can remember. As a presenter, you don’t want to go past that load.

Cognitive load theory consists of three loads:

1. Intrinsic load
2. Extraneous load
3. Germane load

Intrinsic load is how difficult a subject or topic is to learn and remember. For example, basic adding and subtracting is easy, but calculus is far more complicated to understand.

As a presenter, you need to ensure your subject is simple and easy for your audience to remember. When you present a slide, instead of printing a paragraph, you want it to create some sort of an emotional impact by simplifying it to one or two words.

Extraneous load is how you choose to showcase your information. 

In a 45 min talk, you could read a definition but few will remember it. Instead, show your information in a visual way. Your audience will remember far better because you respect their extraneous load.

The germane load is about understanding that there are certain building blocks that your audience can construct when you connect the dots for them.

If you stack those building blocks, your audience will remember them.