Cognitive Load Measurement: Different instruments for different types of load?

Abstract

This study focused on the measurement of two types of cognitive load: intrinsic and extraneous load. In the past, a variety of measurement instruments have been used to indicate the overall cognitive load, but distinguishing between intrinsic and extraneous load remains difficult. Three different kinds of instruments to measure cognitive load were compared on what type of cognitive load they were able to measure: a subjective rating scale, a thinking aloud dual task and an eye tracker. Participants were given a number of puzzles to solve, which varied in intrinsic (high vs. low) and extraneous (high vs. low) cognitive load. Results show that all instruments were able to capture intrinsic load, but only the eye tracking parameter fixation duration was able to capture extraneous load. These findings are discussed in light of the used experimental material and its implications for future research on cognitive load and the distinction between intrinsic and extraneous load.