In 1988, John Sweller proposed the Cognitive Load Theory, and discussed the effect of cognitive load on learning. He had based his work on George Miller’s 7 plus or minus 2 rule, which states that short term memory has certain limits.
According to John Sweller, there are three types of cognitive loads, or working memory resources that must be allocated for the process of learning.
He named these as:
- Extraneous Load
- Germane Load
- Intrinsic Load
Extraneous Load
It’s important to understand that Extraneous Load results from mistakes in presenting content and distractions in the environment. It can and should be eliminated.
An example of Extraneous Load is putting a diagram and its explanation on either side of the same sheet of paper. The learner must keep turning the page to map the explanation with the diagram, which will require that he keeps the image of the diagram (or part of the diagram) in his working memory (thus, uses his working memory resources) until he turns the page to read the explanation.
Germane Load
Germane Load “carries” the content into the learner’s mind (forms a bridge between the short-term memory and the long-term memory.) This load is relevant, but it should be used to maximize learning efficiency. Thus, coming up with the right kind of activities to ensure that the learner develops a competency at the correct Bloom’s Level, would amount to using the Germane load efficiently.
Intrinsic Load
Intrinsic Load is the characteristic load of the content. This load is inherent in the subject being taught. Some subjects require less cognitive processing and are easier to handle than others. For instance, arithmetic is simpler than Integral Calculus and hence it has a lower intrinsic load.
The following image provides a brief description of the three kinds of loads and what an instructional designer must do with each of these.
Cognitive Load Theory helps us identify the three loads and use them judiciously so that we create and present content in a way that it becomes simpler for the learner to assimilate and retain.
November 28, 2025 at 4:48 pm
Very simple article. Written concisely. However, Sweller did not precisely state the phrase “cognitive load theory”. He only stated “cognitive load” and “working memory” in 1988. It was not till 1998, in an article by Sweller et al., that intrinsic, extraneous, and germane were defined. Note that in Sweller’s (2023) article, “The development of CLT: Replication…”, Sweller no longer considers GL (pp. 4-5). Ken, doctoral candidate.
November 28, 2025 at 11:58 pm
Thank you, Ken. I’m glad you stopped by and added your valuable thoughts to this short post.
As eLearning content creators, we apply the popular theories and models to make our content effective. The 3-load classification remains very helpful, especially when developing eLearning/ILT content. Quite like the BT and RBT discussion (with RBT getting a seal of approval from Bloom himself), we use what works – and so several of us continue to classify our objectives per Bloom’s original taxonomy.
But thank you for pointing out that in 2023, Sweller dropped the germane load from his classification. I’ll check it out and update the post to include an addendum.