What is progressive disclosure and when should you use it in interface design?

• A. Reveals information progressively to avoid cognitive overload; show details on demand or in steps.
• B. Displays all information upfront to minimize user actions.
• C. Hides advanced features behind authentication gates.
• D. Requests user permission before showing any content.

Answer: (A)

Progressive disclosure means presenting only the essential information and controls at first, and revealing more details or options as the user shows interest or needs them. This approach helps reduce cognitive load by not overwhelming users with everything at once, and it guides them through tasks in manageable steps or on-demand detail. Use it when a UI has complexity or many settings, and you’re designing for both beginners and power users—present the core tasks upfront and offer advanced options or explanations later, for example through expandable sections, step-by-step wizards, or an “Advanced” area.

Why it fits this question: it captures the idea of revealing more information progressively to avoid overload and providing details on demand or in steps. The other options don’t describe this approach: showing all information upfront defeats the goal of reducing cognitive load; hiding features behind authentication gates is about access control, not progressive disclosure; requiring permission before showing content describes a consent pattern, not a staged reveal of information.