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The Incentives Lab
HBT-COG-0470 · Dimension COG · Cognition

Meta-Model

A set of language patterns that recover missing information from vague statements — deletions, distortions, generalizations.

Reasoning·Mental Model·Grade B·draft· enriching…

Scientific Definition

A set of language patterns that recover missing information from vague statements — deletions, distortions, generalizations.

Plain-English Definition

A set of language patterns that recover missing information from vague statements — deletions, distortions, generalizations.

Feynman Explanation

'They always do that' is a sentence with three problems. The meta-model finds all three.

Core Principle

A set of language patterns that recover missing information from vague statements — deletions, distortions, generalizations.

Mechanisms

Psychological

Pending editorial review.

Behavioral Economic

A set of language patterns that recover missing information from vague statements — deletions, distortions, generalizations.

Neurological

Pending editorial review.

Evolutionary

Pending editorial review.

Sociological

Pending editorial review.

Computational

Pending editorial review.

Systems

Coaching, requirements gathering, due diligence interviews.

Inputs (Triggers)

Pending editorial review.

Outputs (Behaviors)

Pending editorial review.

Behavioral Signature

'They always do that' is a sentence with three problems. The meta-model finds all three.

Examples

Everyday
  • Bandler & Grinder, 'The Structure of Magic' (1975).
Modern (Organizational)
  • Coaching, requirements gathering, due diligence interviews.
Historical

Pending editorial review.

Famous Experiments

Pending editorial review.

Design Principles

  • Three questions for any vague claim: who specifically, how specifically, compared to what.

Measurement Approaches

Pending editorial review.

Evidence

Evidence Grade
B (A strongest → E speculative)
Replication
★★★☆☆
Intervention Confidence
3 / 5
Consensus
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Limitations
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Open Research Questions

Pending editorial review.

Primary References

Pending editorial review.

Signature Section

The Perverse Incentive Lens™

How this behavior is exploited — and how to redesign around it.

Exploitation
Coaching, requirements gathering, due diligence interviews.
Amplifying Incentives
Coaching, requirements gathering, due diligence interviews.
Org Failure Modes
Coaching, requirements gathering, due diligence interviews.
Societal Failure Modes
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Ethical Considerations
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Redesign Strategies
Three questions for any vague claim: who specifically, how specifically, compared to what.
Diagnostic Questions
  • Three questions for any vague claim: who specifically, how specifically, compared to what.
Warning Signs

Pending editorial review.

Red Flags

Pending editorial review.

Intervention Playbook
Individual
Three questions for any vague claim: who specifically, how specifically, compared to what.
Team
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Organization
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Policy
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
AI Implications
Detection
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Measurement
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Mitigation
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Responsible Use
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).

Interactive Mini Network

Click any neighbor to re-center the graph and follow the threads of connection.

HBT-COG-0470 · COG
Meta-Model
MeAbAbstractionsABAdaptive BiasABAdditive BiasAAAffirming a DisjunctADAgent DetectionARAlder's RazorAlAlgorithmsAMAll Models Are WrongABAllegiance BiasAFAnecdotal Fallacy

Knowledge Graph Neighbors

Version History

v1.1.0 · 2026-06-28Initial auto-seed from corpus.