UX Principles
Cognitive Load
Mental effort to process information. More options = slower decisions (Hick's Law). More fields = more abandonment. Chunk content, simplify choices, eliminate unnecessary inputs.
In plain terms
The mental effort a screen demands. The more choices and clutter, the harder it gets — simplify to help everyone, especially tired or distracted people.
Why this matters
Every unnecessary choice, field, or distraction adds mental effort — and the people who hit their limit first are those with cognitive disabilities, stress, or fatigue. Reducing load helps literally everyone get things done.