The concept of 'cognitive load' refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. In educational psychology, it is often divided into three types: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane. Intrinsic load is associated with the complexity of the material itself, which cannot be altered without changing the content. Extraneous load is generated by the way information is presented, such as confusing diagrams or unnecessary instructions, and can be reduced by better instructional design. Germane load, on the other hand, is the effort devoted to processing and understanding the material, which is beneficial for learning. Research suggests that instructional designers should aim to minimize extraneous load while optimizing germane load, especially when dealing with complex subjects. However, over-simplifying content may inadvertently reduce intrinsic load, which could hinder deep learning.