Recursive Cognitive Coupling - Mutual Modeling, Interaction Amplification, and the Boundary of Cognitive Access
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: This note introduces Recursive Cognitive Coupling (RCC) as a minimum mechanism for describing how interacting cognitive agents progressively model one another's cognitive operations, thereby altering the interaction conditions under which subsequent cognition occurs. RCC begins with mutual cognitive modeling: an agent develops an increasingly useful model of another agent's observable cognitive operations, preferences, responses, or decision patterns. When such modeling improves prediction, interaction friction may decrease. Reduced friction can enable deeper and faster cognitive coupling, which in turn generates new interaction data through which the agents update their respective models. The minimum mechanism is: Mutual Modeling → Predictive Coordination → Reduced Interaction Friction → Deeper Cognitive Coupling → Updated Mutual Modeling The defining property is recursion. The model of the other agent does not merely describe interaction; it changes the interaction from which subsequent models are formed. RCC further proposes that the same mechanism may produce both capability amplification and coupling amplification. More accurate mutual modeling may facilitate coordination and complementary cognition, while sufficiently strong recursive feedback may increase coupling faster than external validation. This creates a potential failure mode of over-coupling, in which internally reinforced coherence increases without a corresponding increase in externally validated capability. A second boundary condition is epistemic non-identity. Increasingly accurate prediction of another agent's observable cognitive operations does not constitute access to that agent's internal cognitive state. Accordingly: Mutual predictability does not imply mutual transparency. RCC is specified here as a conceptual mechanism rather than an empirically validated theory. The note does not claim that recursive cognitive coupling necessarily improves performance, that stronger coupling is inherently desirable, or that predictive accuracy provides privileged access to another agent's internal state. It defines a minimum mechanism and boundary conditions for subsequent empirical, comparative, and computational investigation.
Author: Xu, Lucas Xiaochun
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7213633138