What can be a consequence of high cognitive load in designed environments?

High cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In designed environments, when cognitive load is high, it can overwhelm a person's ability to process information efficiently. This leads to difficulties in understanding and navigating the environment, making decisions, or completing tasks.

When cognitive resources are stretched thin, individuals may struggle to focus on relevant information, which can result in confusion, errors, and overall frustration. Therefore, the consequence of high cognitive load is indeed an increased difficulty in processing information, hindering both performance and user experience.

Improved decision-making, enhanced usability and comfort, and greater user satisfaction would typically result from well-designed environments that reduce cognitive load, facilitating easier information processing and more effective engagement with the space.