Final answer:
Ill-defined problems typically increase cognitive load as they lack clear goals and structure, requiring more mental effort to process and navigate, which could lead to cognitive disruption.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ill-defined problems are those that do not have clear goals, solution paths, or expected solution methods. They often feature ambiguous information and unclear criteria for judging solutions.
When individuals face ill-defined problems, their cognitive load typically increases. Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort being used in the working memory.\
As ill-defined problems provide little structure and guidance, they require more mental resources to interpret, process and navigate. Thus, it can lead to cognitive disruption.