Cognitive Scaffold

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MENTAL MODEL · M2421

Capgras Delusion

Capgras Delusion
Learn & MetacognitionHigh supportCognitive Science
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Patients can recognize the face of a loved one (e.g., their mother) with normal visual cognition, but they do not feel the emotional connection, leading them to logically conclude that this person is an impostor, such as an alien or a spy.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

- Limitations of rationality: Pure rationality (without emotion) can lead to madness. If your product only has functionality (recognizing faces) but lacks emotional connection (feeling love), users will perceive it as an 'impostor' or a 'cold machine'.

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Anchor fast decisions

The patient's facial recognition (visual pathway) is normal, but the connection to the emotional center that provides a sense of familiarity is broken. Rationality still seeks an explanation for 'recognizing but not feeling', leading to the inference that the person is an impostor; this demonstrates that 'pure rationality without emotion equals madness/uncanniness'.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capgras_delusionZH · Explicit
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