The Perceived Simplicity-latent Complexity Divergence Framework (
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: The Perceived Simplicity-Latent Complexity Divergence Framework (PSLCDF) is proposedas a boundary-conditioned, multidomain framework for investigating the relationship betweensubjective simplicity, latent structural complexity, structural visibility, and realized task difficulty.The motivating intuition is that a subject, process, system, or representation may appearsimple to an observer while requiring substantial structural, causal, computational, explanatory,or operational effort under a more complete analysis. The proposed framework formalizes thisintuition without assuming that simplicity and difficulty must always be directly proportional orinversely proportional.The architecture distinguishes four primary constructs: perceived ease, structural complexity,structural visibility, and realized task difficulty. It additionally defines hidden structural complexity,a surface-depth divergence potential index, and a calibration-gap measure comparing predictedwith realized difficulty. Candidate power-law, direct-proportionality, inverse-proportionality, andconditional statistical models are specified.The framework contains eighteen interconnected theoretical layers, a canonical primary case,domain-specific case variants, a mechanism taxonomy, operational measurement procedures,testable hypotheses, falsification criteria, and a staged research-development protocol. A crucialdistinction is maintained between mathematical identities that follow from definitions andempirical propositions requiring independent validation.PSLCDF is intended as a reusable methodological architecture rather than an establisheduniversal law. Its central research question is whether, when, and under what boundary conditionsperceived simplicity is associated with hidden complexity or with underestimation of realizeddifficulty. The present document supplies a formal blueprint for answering that question whileleaving empirical parameters, measurement validity, and cross-domain generality open to testing.Keywords: perceived simplicity; latent complexity; realized difficulty; structural visibility;perception-reality discrepancy; proportionality; power-law models; calibration; multidomain theory;mathematical operationalization.
Author: Shan, Shamiul Hoque
Language: English
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225465172