Principlev1PR-464

Build broader, shallower hierarchies for novices exploring…

Build broader, shallower hierarchies for novices exploring unfamiliar domains; build deeper hierarchies for experts navigating familiar paths.

Why This Is a Principle

Derives from Expertise Transforms Perceptual Chunking (expertise changes chunk size), Expertise Through Deliberate Practice (expertise builds sophisticated mental representations), and Expertise as Domain-Specific Schema Organization (expert knowledge is domain-specific). Prescribes adapting hierarchy depth to user expertise level based on how chunking and mental models differ between novices and experts.

Source Lessons

Depth versus breadth in hierarchies

Going deep in one branch versus wide across many branches are different strategies with different costs — and the right choice depends on whether you need resolution or coverage.

Connections

Derived From (3)

AxiomExpertise Transforms Perceptual Chunking AxiomExpertise Through Deliberate Practice AxiomExpertise as Domain-Specific Schema Organization

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