Title:
The Quantum-Cognitive Maturity Model (QCM²): A Framework for Reflexive Resilience in Complex Information Environments

Authors:
Dr. Robb Shawe, Aslak Molvaer, USA

Abstract:

Contemporary information environments are characterized by increasing complexity, algorithmic mediation, and continuous exposure to competing narratives. Under such conditions, human cognition operates not only as a mechanism for interpretation but also as a point of interaction within structured informational systems. This shift introduces new demands on cognitive processes, requiring individuals and institutions to maintain coherent judgment while navigating uncertainty, ambiguity, and influence. The Quantum-Cognitive Maturity Model (QCM²) is proposed as a conceptual analytical framework for examining how cognitive maturity develops and operates under such conditions. The framework conceptualizes cognition as a dynamic, context-sensitive system shaped by the interaction of internal capacities and external informational structures. Cognitive maturity is defined as the capacity to regulate interpretation, integrate multiple perspectives, and sustain coherence of judgment across varying temporal and contextual conditions. Central to the framework is the concept of reflexive resilience, which describes the ability to adapt cognitive processes by integrating disruption, uncertainty, and feedback. Mechanisms, including reflexive cognition, metacognitive regulation, adaptive learning, and temporal integration, support this capacity. QCM² introduces a structured representation of cognitive variability through the Cognitive States Matrix, which describes how different configurations of cognitive maturity and processing modes influence perception, interpretation, and decision-making. These states range from reactive, stimulus-driven processing to integrative, temporally extended reasoning. The framework provides an analytical structure for examining how cognitive capacity influences resilience and decision-making in complex environments. By positioning cognition as both developmental and context-dependent, QCM² contributes to interdisciplinary discussions in cognitive science, organizational learning, and human-centered security.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijaemr.2026.11225