jig

noun jigs n.

1 [physical jigs] A device that holds a piece of work and guides the tools operating it in order to provide repeatability, accuracy, and interchangeability in the manufacturing of products. A jig is often confused with a fixture; a fixture holds the work in a fixed location. A device that does both functions (holding the work and guiding a tool) is called a jig. Jigs or templates have been known long before the industrial age. There are many types of jigs, and each one is custom-tailored to do a specific job. Jigs are a form of template in that they can be a shaped piece of metal, wood, card, plastic, or other material used as a pattern for processes such as painting, cutting out, shaping, or drilling. Jigs therefore serve as a model for others to copy.

2 [cognitive jigs] A common conceptual structure or templatic mental model that can be used and reused for a particular cognitive purpose in order to provide repeatability, accuracy, and interchangeability in cognitive tasks. Cognitive Jigs are, to a large extent, content or information agnostic, meaning that any given jig could be used for a variety of cognitive tasks or across a variety of topical areas. Cognitive jigs allow us to not have to “reinvent the wheel” when performing common cognitive tasks.

Evolution -- Renaming to "Cognitive Moves"

In 2021, Cabrera renamed "jigs" to "moves." Cabrera explains, "Moves is a great description for the reusability of common structures but they tend not to be dynamic and adaptable. The term moves is much more accurate because its something one practices and refines through practice. The more you do the move the more you burn the neurons. You can practice moves much like dribbling or shooting in basketball, child's pose or downward dog in yoga, or benching and curling in weight lifting. Doing these moves in practice can translate to better movement in real life situations. Moves are dynamic and can be combined, much like you can combine a squat with a lunge and a raise. You also can better understand a move by understanding its starting and ending point."

See also:

1. Glossary of Known Moves