Principlev1PR-147
Design observation protocols that separate 'how' questions…
Design observation protocols that separate 'how' questions (eliciting description) from 'why' questions (eliciting justification) to collect accurate data rather than defensive explanations.
Why This Is a Principle
This principle follows from Automatic Fusion of Observation and Interpretation (observation and interpretation fuse automatically), Cognitive Dissonance Drives Information Avoidance (cognitive dissonance creates pressure to maintain consistency), and Linguistic Structuring of Thought (language structures thought). The principle prescribes using 'how' vs 'why' framing to shape the type of information returned. It's actionable, applies to incident response and feedback, and grounded in how language triggers different cognitive processes.