Which type of cognitive load is affected by the complexity of the content?

Intrinsic cognitive load refers to the inherent difficulty associated with the material being learned. It is directly influenced by the complexity of the content and the learner's prior knowledge and experience. As the complexity of the content increases, the intrinsic load rises, requiring more cognitive resources to process and understand the information effectively. Therefore, learning tasks with more complex or difficult content naturally result in a higher intrinsic cognitive load.

This type of cognitive load is essential for understanding the learning process, as it emphasizes that some tasks simply require more mental effort due to their nature. For example, learning advanced mathematical concepts will create a greater intrinsic load than learning basic arithmetic. It highlights the necessity for instructional designers and educators to consider the complexity of the content when developing learning experiences, ensuring that learners are not overwhelmed and that the learning objectives are achievable.