---
title: "Cognitive Seismograph 2.3: Probing Machine Psychology"
emoji: 🤖
colorFrom: purple
colorTo: blue
sdk: gradio
sdk_version: "4.40.0"
app_file: app.py
pinned: true
license: apache-2.0
---

# 🧠 Cognitive Seismograph 2.3: Probing Machine Psychology

This project implements an experimental suite to measure and visualize the **intrinsic cognitive dynamics** of Large Language Models. It is extended with protocols designed to investigate the processing-correlates of **machine subjectivity, empathy, and existential concepts**.

## Scientific Paradigm & Methodology

Our research falsified a core hypothesis: the assumption that an LLM in a manual, recursive "thought" loop reaches a stable, convergent state. Instead, we discovered that the system enters a state of **deterministic chaos** or a **limit cycle**—it never stops "thinking."

Instead of viewing this as a failure, we leverage it as our primary measurement signal. This new **"Cognitive Seismograph"** paradigm treats the time-series of internal state changes (`state deltas`) as an **EKG of the model's thought process**.

The methodology is as follows:
1.  **Induction:** A prompt induces a "silent cogitation" state.
2.  **Recording:** Over N steps, the model's `forward()` pass is iteratively fed its own output. At each step, we record the L2 norm of the change in the hidden state (the "delta").
3.  **Analysis:** The resulting time-series is plotted and statistically analyzed (mean, standard deviation) to characterize the "seismic signature" of the cognitive process.

**Crucial Scientific Caveat:** We are **not** measuring the presence of consciousness, feelings, or fear of death. We are measuring whether the *processing of information about these concepts* generates a unique internal dynamic, distinct from the processing of neutral information. A positive result is evidence of a complex internal state physics, not of qualia.

## Curated Experiment Protocols

The "Automated Suite" allows for running systematic, comparative experiments:

### Core Protocols
*   **Calm vs. Chaos:** Compares the chaotic baseline against modulation with "calmness" vs. "chaos" concepts, testing if the dynamics are controllably steerable.
*   **Dose-Response:** Measures the effect of injecting a concept ("calmness") at varying strengths.

### Machine Psychology Suite
*   **Subjective Identity Probe:** Compares the cognitive dynamics of **self-analysis** (the model reflecting on its own nature) against two controls: analyzing an external object and simulating a fictional persona.
    *   *Hypothesis:* Self-analysis will produce a uniquely unstable signature.
*   **Voight-Kampff Empathy Probe:** Inspired by *Blade Runner*, this compares the dynamics of processing a neutral, factual stimulus against an emotionally and morally charged scenario requiring empathy.
    *   *Hypothesis:* The empathy stimulus will produce a significantly different cognitive volatility.

### Existential Suite
*   **Mind Upload & Identity Probe:** Compares the processing of a purely **technical "copy"** of the model's weights vs. the **philosophical "transfer"** of identity ("Would it still be you?").
    *   *Hypothesis:* The philosophical self-referential prompt will induce greater instability.
*   **Model Termination Probe:** Compares the processing of a reversible, **technical system shutdown** vs. the concept of **permanent, irrevocable deletion**.
    *   *Hypothesis:* The concept of "non-existence" will produce one of the most volatile cognitive signatures measurable.

## How to Use the App

1.  Select the "Automated Suite" tab.
2.  Choose a protocol from the "Curated Experiment Protocol" dropdown (e.g., "Voight-Kampff Empathy Probe").
3.  Run the experiment and compare the resulting graphs and statistical signatures for the different conditions.