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Cognitive load, affect, and regulatory strategies: a more integrated model.
Rebecca B Brockbank1, David F Feldon1, Kaylee Litson2
1Department of Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States.
Frontiers in Psychology
|June 15, 2026
Summary
Maladaptive affect increases extraneous cognitive load (ECL), while adaptive emotion regulation strategies, like cognitive reappraisal, can reduce it. This suggests affect is integral to cognitive load management in learning.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Learning Sciences
Background:
- Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) traditionally focuses on cognitive aspects of learning.
- Recent research explores the interplay between cognition and affective elements.
- Understanding the role of emotions and regulation in learning is expanding CLT's scope.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationships between cognitive load, emotional states, motivation, and regulatory strategies in learning contexts.
- To explore the impact of affective constructs and emotion regulation on cognitive load and learning outcomes.
- To provide empirical support for an affective extension of Cognitive Load Theory.
Main Methods:
- A convergent parallel, descriptive longitudinal mixed-methods study.
- Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to examine associations between affective constructs, cognitive load, and learning.
- Repeated measures were used to track changes over time.
Main Results:
- Maladaptive affect was associated with increased extraneous cognitive load.
- Adaptive emotion regulation strategies, particularly cognitive reappraisal, were found to reduce cognitive load.
- Emotion regulation was identified as a fundamental mechanism in navigating demanding learning tasks, not merely an add-on.
Conclusions:
- Affective factors significantly influence cognitive load and learning, supporting an affective extension of CLT.
- Emotion regulation is a critical component of cognitive load management.
- A more integrated framework encompassing cognition, affect, motivation, and self-regulation is proposed, introducing Affective Cognitive Load (ACL) as a subtype of Extraneous Cognitive Load (ECL).
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