Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

Increased cognitive load can lead to the deterioration of working memory performance because working memory has a limited capacity for holding and processing information simultaneously. When a person is faced with an overwhelming amount of information or tasks, the demands on working memory exceed its capacity. This can result in decreased efficiency in processing information, increased errors, and difficulty in retrieving information. As cognitive load rises, individuals may struggle to keep track of multiple pieces of information or execute tasks that require simultaneous processing, ultimately hampering their ability to perform effectively. This is especially relevant in situations where there are competing stimuli or when individuals must multitask, which can strain working memory resources and lead to a decline in overall cognitive function. In contrast, enhanced focus, practice and repetition, and relaxation techniques generally have positive effects on working memory performance. Enhanced focus allows for better allocation of cognitive resources, practice and repetition can help solidify information in memory, and relaxation can reduce cognitive load by minimizing anxiety, thus facilitating better working memory utilization.