Cognitive Load and the Functional Field of View

Abstract

In an experiment that kept visual display factors constant but which varied cognitive load, it was found that cognitive load modulated the functional field of view. When given a high level of foveal (cognitive) load, the functional field of view was only about 2 deg in diameter, whereas a low level of foveal load resulted in a functional field of about 4 deg diameter. The shrinkage of the functional field appeared to be rather generalized and not a true tunnelvision effect.