Scientific Definition
Two modes the brain alternates between.
Plain-English Definition
Two modes the brain alternates between.
Feynman Explanation
Focus solves problems you know how to solve. Diffuse finds the ones you don't.
Core Principle
Two modes the brain alternates between.
Mechanisms
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Two modes the brain alternates between.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Inputs (Triggers)
Pending editorial review.
Outputs (Behaviors)
Pending editorial review.
Behavioral Signature
Focus solves problems you know how to solve. Diffuse finds the ones you don't.
Examples
- Breakthrough insights tend to come in diffuse mode, not focused.
- Calendar architecture that respects both modes.
Pending editorial review.
Famous Experiments
Pending editorial review.
Design Principles
- Schedule deep work AND wandering time. Both are productive.
Measurement Approaches
Pending editorial review.
Evidence
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
The Perverse Incentive Lens™
How this behavior is exploited — and how to redesign around it.
- Schedule deep work AND wandering time. Both are productive.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Interactive Mini Network
Click any neighbor to re-center the graph and follow the threads of connection.
Knowledge Graph Neighbors
Auto-linked to the rest of the Human Behavior Taxonomy by family, domain, dimension, and shared keywords.
Attention is the most contested resource in modern work.
Task switches leave cognitive residue that degrades performance.
Multitasking measurably degrades performance.
Short focused intervals + breaks outperform marathon sessions.
Brain system that decides what's important right now.
Naming an emotion reduces its intensity.
Cumulative physiological wear from chronic stress.
Emotional override of rational processing.
Brain region tracking conflict, error, and effort.
We treat AI as more humanlike than it is.
Self-direction is one of the deepest motivational levers.
Willpower fails; structure works.