Enhances memory recall and reduces cognitive overload.
Over-chunking can still overwhelm or confuse users if not structured well.
In 1956, psychologist George A. Miller published a landmark paper titled 'The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two'. The study explored the limits of short-term memory. Miller conducted experiments at Harvard, testing participants' ability to recall sequences of information. He aimed to determine how much discrete data people can hold in short-term memory at once.
Miller found that the average number of items people could retain in short-term memory was about seven, plus or minus two. He observed that grouping items into chunks—such as phone numbers grouped into sets—allowed participants to recall more information, establishing the concept of chunking as a cognitive strategy.
1.
Group related information to improve comprehension and retention.
2.
Use visual hierarchy and layout to create clear content blocks.
3.
Limit menu or option items to 5–9 elements where possible.
