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structural prediction (n)

noun

in a mental model, a prediction of a structural possibility that leads to an informational inquiry, thereby "filling" or not filling said structure with information.

 

Explanation:

The structures in DSRP Theory have many uses, but the predominant use is to make structural predictions. DSRP rules help us to make predictions about the structure our mental models or reality is capable of taking. This awareness of potential structure, allows us to identify gaps in our knowledge and identify where new knowledge could be discovered or created. For example, if you were a detective in a real-life game of CLUE and I tell you that there were 6 people at the party where the murder took place, it would be quite easy to count the number of relationships (or possible interactions) that are structurally possible (using the expression, n(n-1)) simply based on n equalling 6: n(n-1)=6(6-1)=6(5)=30. So, there are 30 possible relationships among the party-goers. This of course does not tell you anything about the reality of interconnections. It may be true that Professor Plum and Miss Scarlet never had a conversation, but as a detective, it is your job to predict that they structurally could have and discover whether this relationship should be drawn or not drawn. In order to make structural predictions, it is often useful to develop an awareness of the counts associated with such structures. A heuristic for doing so aides this task. Heuristics are used to ascertain the maximum degrees of freedom or potential complexity of a system or network.

See also:

Structural Predictions: Part 1

Structural Predictions: Part 2