Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M7501

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TechnicalHigh supportMedicine
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

When resources are limited, classify the injured based on severity of injury and probability of survival, prioritizing treatment for those who are "salvageable and urgent."

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Cruel but necessary prioritization. When resources are limited, "equal treatment" may not be optimal—painful but rational allocation must be made.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Under resource scarcity, allocate according to "urgency of injury × probability of survival": prioritize those who are "salvageable and urgent," abandon hopeless cases or let minor injuries wait, to maximize total survival; it is utilitarian allocation.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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