Direct Effects of Cognitive Load on Self-Efficacy during Instruction

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Title: Direct Effects of Cognitive Load on Self-Efficacy during Instruction
Language: English
Authors: David F. Feldon (ORCID 0000-0003-3268-5764), Rebecca Brockbank, Kaylee Litson
Source: Journal of Educational Psychology. 2024 116(7):1153-1171.
Availability: American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Cognitive Processes, Difficulty Level, Self Efficacy, Undergraduate Students, Introductory Courses, Physics
DOI: 10.1037/edu0000826
ISSN: 0022-0663
1939-2176
Abstract: Research on cognitive load theory has historically focused on identifying the processes and strategies that enhance learning outcomes. Less attention has been given to the ways in which cognitive load may interact with the motivational and emotional aspects of learning. The aim of the present study is to examine the extent to which experienced cognitive load directly impacts self-efficacy during course-based instruction, after controlling for learning. In Study 1, results showed that within-time measurements of undergraduate students (n = 390) revealed a strong negative association between reported cognitive load and self-efficacy. However, across-time measurements revealed a positive relationship in which higher load predicted increased self-efficacy at later time points. Study 2 (n = 281) showed similar results using a different measure of cognitive load. Findings point to increases in self-efficacy being a consequence of the cognitive load imposed by instruction, rather than a precursor of the decision to invest mental effort. Furthermore, the differential relationships between cognitive load and self-efficacy within and across time highlight different types of motivational costs associated with invested mental effort as perceived by students. As a result, within and across time impacts of cognitive load offer both an enhanced understanding of cognition-motivation interactions and a potentially new approach to empirically differentiating between and quantifying intrinsic and extraneous load types.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506389
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Direct Effects of Cognitive Load on Self-Efficacy during Instruction
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22David+F%2E+Feldon%22">David F. Feldon</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3268-5764">0000-0003-3268-5764</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rebecca+Brockbank%22">Rebecca Brockbank</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kaylee+Litson%22">Kaylee Litson</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Educational+Psychology%22"><i>Journal of Educational Psychology</i></searchLink>. 2024 116(7):1153-1171.
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  Data: American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org
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  Data: Research on cognitive load theory has historically focused on identifying the processes and strategies that enhance learning outcomes. Less attention has been given to the ways in which cognitive load may interact with the motivational and emotional aspects of learning. The aim of the present study is to examine the extent to which experienced cognitive load directly impacts self-efficacy during course-based instruction, after controlling for learning. In Study 1, results showed that within-time measurements of undergraduate students (n = 390) revealed a strong negative association between reported cognitive load and self-efficacy. However, across-time measurements revealed a positive relationship in which higher load predicted increased self-efficacy at later time points. Study 2 (n = 281) showed similar results using a different measure of cognitive load. Findings point to increases in self-efficacy being a consequence of the cognitive load imposed by instruction, rather than a precursor of the decision to invest mental effort. Furthermore, the differential relationships between cognitive load and self-efficacy within and across time highlight different types of motivational costs associated with invested mental effort as perceived by students. As a result, within and across time impacts of cognitive load offer both an enhanced understanding of cognition-motivation interactions and a potentially new approach to empirically differentiating between and quantifying intrinsic and extraneous load types.
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      – SubjectFull: Cognitive Processes
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      – SubjectFull: Difficulty Level
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      – SubjectFull: Self Efficacy
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      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: Introductory Courses
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      – TitleFull: Direct Effects of Cognitive Load on Self-Efficacy during Instruction
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            NameFull: Kaylee Litson
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