Cognitive Interference
« Back to Glossary IndexCognitive interference is when unwanted or intrusive thoughts, distractions, or worries disrupt our ability to focus. It takes up mental space needed for the primary activity with a negative impact on concentration and decision-making. This reduces performance on tasks, slows processing speed, and creates errors. Stressful situations often trigger cognitive interference, where negative/off-task worries intrude on our focus, such as trying to concentrate on studying while stressing over an upcoming deadline or being unable to focus on a conversation due to personal concerns. Also see Conflict Processing
Cognitive Processing Impairments: Cognitive processing deficits are symptoms—mild to severe, temporary to permanent—of neurodevelopmental disorders (Alzheimer’s disease or other physiologic diseases) and affect how to understand/act in the world and lead to difficulties in:
- Cognitive control: attention, memory, concentrating, completing tasks, solving problems
- Language and learning new things: understanding, following instructions, speaking
- Vision: recognizing people/places, awareness of surroundings
- Emotional processing: mood changes, confusion, agitation, motivation, behavior changes
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