Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M5677

Hau

Hau
CultureHigh supportAnthropology
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

The "spirit of the gift". The Maori believe that a gift contains a part of the giver's soul (Hau). If the recipient does not reciprocate, the Hau will harm the recipient. This explains the source of the coercive force of "reciprocity" in gift exchange.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

The credit certificate of social debt. Accepting help or gifts from others is actually accepting a debt attached with "spirit". This invisible debt (Hau) is the core driving force for maintaining the flow of social networks. If you do not want to establish a relationship, do not easily accept gifts.

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Anchor fast decisions

The Maori believe that gifts carry the giver's "spirit" (Hau), and failing to reciprocate will cause harm; this imposes a coercive force of reciprocity on gift exchange, maintaining the flow of social networks.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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