Cognitive Diagnostics
Identity
Thought-System Observation
Cognitive Diagnostics observe clarity, overload, looping, and stability of thought processes.
This node exists to detect when cognition is functional, strained, or self-interfering.
Cognitive Diagnostics do not measure intelligence, skill, or correctness. They observe how thinking holds or collapses under demand.
Classification System
Diagnostic Instrument Suffixes
Diagnostics in CFIM360° are observational instruments. Each diagnostic declares how it must be interpreted through a functional suffix.
The suffix is not naming style. It is a constraint on interpretation.
A diagnostic must be read according to its suffix. Reading it outside that boundary produces error.
Scan
A snapshot observation of current system state.
Scans capture what is active now, without stimulation or pressure. They do not imply trend, direction, or outcome.
Test
An observation performed under a defined condition.
Tests introduce a controlled prompt or load and observe the system’s response. They do not evaluate success or failure.
Induction
A temporary state activation used to surface hidden dynamics.
Inductions intentionally evoke a condition, then observe emergence and decay. They do not attempt to sustain or optimize the induced state.
Window
A range-based observation of safe or stable operation.
Windows identify thresholds rather than targets. They describe limits, not goals.
Index
A composite observational indicator derived from multiple signals.
Indexes summarize patterns but do not rank or score. They are descriptive, not comparative.
Used sparingly.
Interpretation Constraints
Diagnostics in CFIM360° never use:
- scores
- grades
- levels
- rankings
- profiles
Those convert observation into judgment. Judgment is outside the scope of diagnostics.
Cross-Node Behavior
Some diagnostic entities may appear across multiple nodes without a fixed suffix.
In such cases:
the node determines interpretation not the diagnostic name itself
Context governs behavior.
Cognitive Load Scan
Thought-System State Observation
The Cognitive Load Scan is a snapshot observation of how the cognitive system is holding under current demand.
It exists to reveal whether thinking remains clear, congested, looping, or saturated at a given moment, without engaging the mind in problem-solving or evaluation.
This scan does not work with ideas or conclusions. It observes how thinking is operating.
What This Scan Observes
The Cognitive Load Scan observes:
- clarity or congestion of thought
- presence or absence of mental looping
- capacity to hold variables without collapse
- stability of reasoning under current demand
- latency between intent and cognitive response
The scan observes cognitive behavior, not content.
What This Scan Does Not Observe
The Cognitive Load Scan does not observe:
- intelligence or capability
- correctness of conclusions
- creativity or originality
- knowledge or expertise
- decision quality
- emotional meaning
It does not judge thinking. It observes cognitive load.
Observation Posture
During the scan:
- no problems are solved
- no decisions are made
- no effort is added
- no thoughts are redirected
The observer does not engage cognition. Thinking is watched as it unfolds naturally.
Output Nature
The scan produces descriptive observations such as:
- cognitively clear
- cognitively loaded
- cognitively looping
- cognitively saturated
- indeterminate
These observations do not imply outcome or ability.
Temporal Scope
The Cognitive Load Scan is:
- momentary
- non-progressive
- non-comparative
- non-repeatable by force
It reflects the current cognitive state only.
Relationship to Other Diagnostics
The Cognitive Load Scan:
- follows the Inner Coherence Scan
- may follow Emotional Diagnostics
- often precedes Somatic Diagnostics
- is not used during induction-based instruments
It isolates cognition intentionally.
Boundary Conditions
The Cognitive Load Scan never:
- assesses competence
- enforces clarity
- rewards mental effort
- justifies overthinking
If thinking is pushed, observation exceeds scope.
Canonical Statement
The Cognitive Load Scan is complete when the behavior of thought becomes visible without engagement.
No correction is required. No decision is implied.
The scan ends with visibility, not resolution.