Definition of “Working Memory”
As we noted above in the extract on cognitive load, there is a direct link with the amount of working memory resources used, so exploring the definition of “working memory” is important.
The below extract is from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_memory
First, there is a limited capacity of working memory available to us, and how much of that is used will contribute to feeling a higher or lower cognitive load. From our observations, the overuse of working memory will result in stress, anxiety, and burnout. On the other end of the spectrum, little use of working memory results in boredom and disengagement. Finding the sweet spot is not easy in a world of increased complexity; hence, we hope to assist with this book by providing ways in which to reduce cognitive load while handling increasing complexity on a day-to-day basis.
Working memory is important for reasoning and the guidance of decision-making and behavior. This translates to many variables: the easiness of decision-making, the quality of decisions, the number of people involved in decision-making, comradery and empathy amongst those making decisions, the level of alignment between decision-makers, the ability to make (group) decisions, etc.
Decision-making capabilities thus play a large role in our analysis of reducing cognitive load, as we seek to find ways to make high-quality decisions while expending the least effort possible.