Paper Title
The Impact of Cognitive Psychology and Memory in ICT Utilization Among Female Academia in STEM Fields in Nigeria

Abstract
This study explores how the principles of cognitive psychology and memory processes influence the adoption and utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) among female academia in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. As ICT continues to reshape academic environments, understanding the psychological underpinnings of its use becomes essential, particularly in underrepresented groups such as women in STEM. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 120 female STEM academia across five Nigerian universities through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Results from the study show that Higher cognitive load was significantly negatively correlated with ICT usage frequency (r = -0.43, p < 0.01), and working memory scores were positively associated with self-reported ICT competence (β = 0.38, p < 0.05). Findings reveal that cognitive factors such as working memory, self-efficacy, and cognitive load significantly impact ICT usage patterns. Moreover, age and academic rank moderate the relationship between memory retention and ICT proficiency. The paper recommends that cognitive-based training programs and institutional policies that support ICT competence and development, should be implemented in Higher Education Institutions for female scholars in STEM. Keywords - Cognitive Psychology, Memory Processes, ICT Adoption, Female Academia, STEM Fields, Working Memory, Cognitive Load