Fidelity (F)
Definition
Fidelity F is the first component of cognitive coherence B(O,C) — the degree to which an observer's attention is concentrated on a single configuration. F ranges from 0 (fully diffuse) to 1 (perfectly focused); if F → 0, B collapses regardless of the other components.
Related Terms
Cognitive Coherence B(O,C)
Cognitive coherence B(O,C) is the central measurable quantity of ODTOE that determines how strongly an observer O actualizes configuration C. It is computed as B(O,C) = F^w1 · E^w2 · (1−σ)^w3 · Λ^w4, where F is attention focus (fidelity), E is energy, σ is internal contradiction (entropy), and Λ is data quality.
Entropy (σ) of the Observer
The σ parameter in ODTOE is the internal contradiction of an observer — its self-decoherence due to conflicting beliefs or signals. In the coherence formula B(O,C) it enters as (1−σ)^w3, so a fully contradicted observer (σ → 1) cannot actualize any configuration.
Λ — Data Quality
Λ in ODTOE is the data-quality parameter — the fourth component of cognitive coherence B(O,C) — measuring how recent, dense and pure the observer's information about a configuration is. It decomposes as Λ = A^a · D^d · P^p (recency A, density D, purity P) and corresponds to exp(−H(noise | signal)) in information theory.
Weights w1, w2, w3, w4
The four weights w1, w2, w3, w4 in the coherence formula B(O,C) = F^w1 · E^w2 · (1−σ)^w3 · Λ^w4 fix the relative contribution of fidelity, energy, low-contradiction and data quality. They are not free parameters but normalized exponents calibrated against the observer's context.
Source Articles
Four Components of Cognitive Coherence
B(O,C) = F^w1 * E^w2 * (1-sigma)^w3 * Lambda^w4. Operationalization and measurement of contextual belief. Interaction with environment.
Operational Measurement of the Cognitive Coherence Parameter B
Operational protocol for measuring cognitive coherence parameter B=F^w₁·E^w₂·(1−σ)^w₃·Λ^w₄. Instrumental methods: fMRI, EEG, HRV, eye-tracking, IAT, GSR. Non-instrumental methods: self-report scales, observation journals, behavioral markers. Quaternion structure of coherence for deficit type diagnosis. Inter-observer coherence measurement protocol for groups.