Working memory

Working memory is a bit like a mental workspace that allows us to hold and manipulate information temporarily. Think of it as the brain's sticky notes, where we jot down and shuffle information needed for tasks we’re currently doing, like solving a math problem in our heads or planning what to say next in a conversation. It’s more complex than short-term memory because it doesn’t just store information — it actively works with it.

If a task has a high cognitive load, it means it's putting a lot of pressure on working memory, making tasks seem difficult. Since everyone's working memory capacity can differ based on factors like education, IQ, and age, it varies widely among individuals. However, interfaces should be designed in a way that doesn’t overload users' working memory, irrespective of individual capacities.^[1]