THE COGNITIVE FIELD MAP
The Distributed Architecture of Interactional Topology
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I. WHAT A 'FIELD' MEANS IN DEM
In DEM, a field is defined as:
A dynamic topology created when two or more cognitive architectures interact, where load, gradients, and coherence propagate across systems.
The key characteristics:
1. Distributed Load
Load propagates outward.
What narrows one system can steepen another.
2. Gradient Sharing
Interpretive gradients spread across participants.
Your steepening can destabilise me; my widening can stabilise you.
3. Coherence Transmission
Coherence is contagious.
So is distortion.
4. Structural Influence, Not Content Influence
Meaning arises from structural alignment, not words.
This is why DEM is the first model to treat human interaction as a topological system.
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II. THE THREE PRIMARY FIELD LAYERS
DEM identifies three concentric layers in every interactional field:
1. Micro-Field (Immediate)
The real-time space between two architectures.
Contains micro-gradients, thresholds, and transition cues.
Examples:
• tone changes
• micro-pauses
• divergence pressure
• local narrowing/widening
This is the arena where elicitation operates.
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2. Meso-Field (Extended Interaction)
The topology shaping the entire interaction episode.
Examples:
• conversational direction
• stabilisation arcs
• widening phases
• settlement patterns
• coherence cycles
This level determines whether the interaction becomes:
• stabilising
• generative
• distorted
• incoherent
DEM mode operations take place here.
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3. Macro-Field (Contextual Architecture)
The long-range structural environment.
Examples:
• institutional load
• cultural gradients
• accumulated distortions
• prior system deformation
• shared history shaping thresholds
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III. THE MAP ITSELF
+-------------------------------+
| MACRO-FIELD |
| (Contextual Architecture) |
| - Institutional load |
| - Cultural gradients |
| - Long-range bias |
+-------------------------+-------------------------+
| | |
| MESO-FIELD | MESO-FIELD |
| (Interaction Cycle) | (Interaction Cycle) |
| - Stabilisation arcs | - Widening phases |
| - Divergence pressure | - Coherence cycles |
+------------+------------+------------+------------+
| MICRO-FIELD (Real-Time) |
| - Micro-gradients |
| - Local narrowing |
| - Local widening |
| - Threshold cues |
+----------------------------+
| [Architecture A] [Architecture B] |
+-----------------------------------+
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PRINCIPLES (STANDARD TOPOLOGY)
[ FIELD COHERENCE ]
(P1)
|
---------------------------------
| |
[ INPUT STRUCTURE ] [ OUTPUT STRUCTURE ]
(P2) (P3)
|
[ MODE ARCHITECTURE ]
(P4)
|
-----------------------------------------
| |
[ LOAD DYNAMICS ] [ TOPOLOGICAL SHAPE ]
(P5) (P6)
|
[ THRESHOLD LOGIC ]
(P7)
|
----------------------------------
| |
[ TRANSITION MECHANICS ] [ RECOVERY MECHANICS ]
(P8) (P9)
|
[ SYNTHETIC INTERFACE ]
(P10)
Interpretation:
• The top of the diagram = the shared field (P1).
• Middle = the cognitive engine (P2–P4).
• Lower-middle = deformation & topology (P5–P7).
• Lower = transitions & recovery (P8–P9).
• Base = the synthetic extension (P10).
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PRINCIPLES (NARROW)
[ P1: FIELD COHERENCE ]
[ P2: INPUT STRUCTURE ]
[ P3: OUTPUT STRUCTURE ]
[ P4: MODE ARCHITECTURE ]
[ P5: LOAD DYNAMICS ]
[ P6: TOPOLOGICAL SHAPE ]
[ P7: THRESHOLD LOGIC ]
[ P8: TRANSITION MECHANICS ]
[ P9: RECOVERY MECHANICS ]
[ P10: SYNTHETIC INTERFACE ]
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Core Principles of the Dual-Mode Elicitation Model™ (DEM)
Foundational Laws of Structural Cognition
These ten principles define the structural mechanics underlying DEM.
They express the universal behaviours of cognitive systems operating under load, interacting in real time, and reorganising to maintain coherence.
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PRINCIPLE 1 — Cognition Is a Dynamic Architecture, Not a Behaviour
A cognitive system is best understood as an internal structure that reorganises in response to load, state, and topology. Behaviour emerges from architecture, not the reverse.
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PRINCIPLE 2 — Mode Determines Function
Every cognitive act arises from one of two structural configurations:
• Directive Mode (narrow, convergent, stabilising)
• Exploratory Mode (wide, generative, divergent)
Intelligence emerges from the precision of transition, not the dominance of either mode.
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PRINCIPLE 3 — Load Reshapes Topology
Cognitive load distorts internal architecture. Rising load steepens the topology (narrowing). Falling load flattens it (widening).
Distortion is structural, predictable, and universal.
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PRINCIPLE 4 — Coherence Is the Primary Survival Function
Systems preserve coherence before accuracy, insight, emotional comfort, or behavioural preference.
Coherence is the structural baseline that every cognitive act attempts to maintain.
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PRINCIPLE 5 — Distortion Propagates
A system under load reshapes the cognitive field around it.
Misalignment, misinterpretation, and relational conflict emerge from structural divergence, not interpersonal failure.
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PRINCIPLE 6 — Recovery Is Architectural, Not Psychological
Systems recover coherence through structural reorganisation, not “realisation,” “breakthrough,” or “willpower.”
Recovery is the return to viable topology.
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PRINCIPLE 7 — All Interaction Is Structural
Human communication is not the exchange of information but the modulation of architecture.
Signals alter gradients. Gradients alter modes. Modes alter interpretation.
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PRINCIPLE 8 — Elicitation Precedes Meaning
Insight arises when the architecture becomes structurally capable of generating it.
Elicitation prepares the topology; meaning emerges from stability.
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PRINCIPLE 9 — Intelligence = Flexible Reorganisation
Intelligence is defined by a system’s ability to reorganise its architecture in synchrony with its conditions.
Flexibility, not knowledge, is the fundamental cognitive capacity.
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PRINCIPLE 10 — Structure Moves Toward Order Because It Cannot Do Otherwise
Cognitive systems naturally reorganise toward coherence.
This is not intention, not purpose, not desire — it is structural inevitability.
Order emerges because architecture demands it.
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© Frankie Mooney, 2025. All rights reserved. Part of the DEM and Structural Cognition reference infrastructure.
Published on FrankieMooney.com
for enquiries: enq@frankiemooney.com
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