Author: Nathan Veil (Applied Coherence Institute)
Date: May 12, 2026
Classification: Cyberpsychology / Media Studies / Psychophysiology / Self‑Regulation
Abstract
This paper proposes an integrative conceptual framework for understanding coherence extraction — the systematic depletion of human capacity for attentional stability, autonomic regulation, emotional modulation, and intentional behavioral alignment. Drawing on existing literatures in attention economics (Kahneman, 1973; Simon, 1971), surveillance capitalism (Zuboff, 2019), behavioral addiction (Alter, 2017), polyvagal theory (Porges, 2011), trauma studies (Herman, 1992; van der Kolk, 2014), attachment theory (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007), and self‑determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000), the paper synthesizes four mechanisms of coherence extraction: attentional fragmentation, emotional activation, identity performance, and relational modulation. It introduces the relational quality of the medium as a previously neglected but potentially central dimension. The framework is offered as a heuristic for future research; all claims are probabilistic and presented for empirical testing. Operational definitions, measurable proxies, and testable hypotheses are provided.
Keywords: coherence extraction, attentional fragmentation, emotional activation, identity performance, relational modulation, self‑regulation, surveillance capitalism
1. Introduction
The digital attention economy has been extensively critiqued for its extractive, addictive, and democratically corrosive effects (Zuboff, 2019; Alter, 2017; Wu, 2016; Williams, 2018). However, these critiques have largely focused on external consequences: lost productivity, reduced privacy, political polarization, and mental health decline. This paper argues that attention extraction is also a form of coherence extraction — a systematic depletion of human capacity for attentional stability, autonomic regulation, emotional modulation, and intentional behavioral alignment.
The paper synthesizes findings across four domains:
| Domain | Key Literature | Proposed Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Attention economics | Kahneman, 1973; Simon, 1971; Leroy, 2009 | Attentional fragmentation |
| Affective neuroscience | Gross, 2015; Porges, 2011 | Emotional activation |
| Identity and performance | Goffman, 1959; Festinger, 1954 | Identity performance |
| Relational regulation | Herman, 1992; Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007 | Relational modulation |
The paper is a conceptual synthesis and research agenda, not an empirical study. The framework is offered heuristically; all claims are probabilistic and presented for future testing. The author’s first‑person experience is not presented as evidence.
Caveats: The paper does not claim that all digital media use is extractive. It distinguishes between intentional use (effort) and involuntary extraction (leakage). Individual variation is significant. The framework is heuristic, not prescriptive.
2. Defining Coherence
2.1 Coherence as a Multidimensional Construct
In this framework, coherence refers to the integrated capacity for sustained attentional control, autonomic regulation, emotional modulation, and intentional behavioral alignment across contexts. It is a multidimensional construct encompassing:
| Dimension | Definition | Proposed Proxy |
|---|---|---|
| Attentional coherence | Ability to sustain focus on intended tasks without involuntary distraction | Task‑switching frequency; attentional control scales |
| Autonomic coherence | Balanced sympathetic‑parasympathetic activity, reflected in heart rate variability (HRV) | HRV (RMSSD, HF power) |
| Emotional coherence | Capacity to modulate emotional responses without chronic reactivity | Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ); recovery time after stressor |
| Behavioral coherence | Alignment between stated values, intentions, and actions | Self‑report; ecological momentary assessment |
| Relational coherence | Access to co‑regulating social connections; absence of chronic relational extraction | Social Support Scale; attachment measures |
The framework does not assume a single unified coherence “energy.” Rather, coherence is treated as a family of related capacities that may be independently measurable but covary under conditions of extraction or regulation.
2.2 Coherence Extraction Defined
Coherence extraction is the systematic depletion of these capacities through mechanisms that fragment attention, dysregulate emotion, incentivize identity performance, or compromise relational safety. The framework proposes four such mechanisms:
| Mechanism | Definition | Primary Extraction Vector |
|---|---|---|
| Attentional fragmentation | Involuntary scattering of attention across stimuli | Notification loops, task‑switching, variable rewards |
| Emotional activation | Chronic or exaggerated emotional arousal without resolution | Outrage cycles, fear‑based content, parasocial validation |
| Identity performance | Sustained effort to manage self‑presentation for external approval | Social comparison, curated selves, validation seeking |
| Relational modulation | Dysregulation or co‑regulation through social connection | Abusive/extractive presence vs. kind/supportive presence |
These mechanisms may operate independently or in combination. The framework hypothesizes additive or interactive effects.
3. Literature Review
3.1 Attention Economics and Attentional Fragmentation
Herbert Simon (1971) observed that “a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention.” In the digital age, attention has become a contested resource. Adam Alter (2017) documents how digital products exploit psychological vulnerabilities — variable rewards, social approval, and fear of missing out — to condition compulsive checking. Sophie Leroy (2009) introduced “attentional residue”: the persistent activation of prior task goals when switching between tasks. Accumulated residue reduces cognitive capacity, increases stress, and impairs performance.
3.2 Surveillance Capitalism and Emotional Activation
Shoshana Zuboff (2019) defines surveillance capitalism as an economic order that claims human experience as free raw material for behavioral data. These data are used to predict and modify behavior for profit. Platforms optimize for engagement, not well‑being. Engagement is driven by strong emotion — anger, fear, outrage, excitement. Algorithms preferentially surface content that provokes these responses, creating feedback loops of emotional activation (Williams, 2018).
3.3 Identity Performance and Validation Seeking
Erving Goffman (1959) theorized social interaction as performance, with individuals managing front‑stage and back‑stage selves. Digital platforms amplify this dynamic, encouraging curated self‑presentation. Leon Festinger’s (1954) social comparison theory predicts that exposure to curated others reduces self‑esteem and increases performance pressure. Validation seeking through likes, comments, and shares substitutes external approval for intrinsic self‑worth, eroding authentic identity (Twenge & Campbell, 2019).
3.4 Relational Regulation and Co‑regulation
Stephen Porges’ polyvagal theory (2011) identifies that humans are biologically wired for co‑regulation — the mutual regulation of nervous systems through social engagement. Safe, supportive presence activates the ventral vagal pathway, promoting calm, connection, and recovery. Threatening, abusive presence activates sympathetic or dorsal vagal pathways, promoting hyperarousal, shutdown, and dysregulation. Research on intimate partner violence and emotional abuse (Herman, 1992; van der Kolk, 2014) documents profound effects on victims’ nervous systems, mental health, and self‑regulation capacity.
Self‑determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) identifies three basic psychological needs — autonomy, competence, and relatedness — whose satisfaction supports intrinsic motivation and well‑being. Extractive relationships and environments frustrate these needs, producing controlled (rather than autonomous) regulation. Social baseline theory (Coan, 2011) proposes that human brains evolved to regulate in social connection; isolation or relational threat increases regulatory load and depletes resources.
3.5 Existing Gaps
The existing literature addresses these mechanisms separately. No unified framework integrates attentional fragmentation, emotional activation, identity performance, and relational modulation as forms of coherence extraction. This paper attempts to fill that gap heuristically.
4. Proposed Model of Coherence Extraction
4.1 Attentional Fragmentation
Attentional fragmentation is the involuntary scattering of attention across multiple stimuli, tasks, or worries, resulting in reduced focus and increased cognitive load.
| Operational Definition | Proposed Proxy | Evidence Base |
|---|---|---|
| Attention is pulled from an intentional task by external or internal distractions more than X times per hour | Screen time (notifications per hour); task‑switching frequency; Attention Control Scale | Leroy, 2009; Ophir et al., 2009; Uncapher & Wagner, 2018 |
Hypothesized extraction mechanism: Intermittent rewards and notification loops condition compulsive checking, fragmenting attention and producing chronic attentional residue. Sealing strategies include scheduled checking, notification removal, and single‑tasking.
4.2 Emotional Activation
Emotional activation is chronic or exaggerated emotional arousal triggered by platform design (outrage cycles, fear‑based content) without resolution.
| Operational Definition | Proposed Proxy | Evidence Base |
|---|---|---|
| Emotional arousal (anger, anxiety, outrage) triggered by content persists beyond X minutes without intentional intervention | HRV (decreased during reactivity); Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ); cortisol levels | Gross, 2015; Zuboff, 2019; Williams, 2018 |
Hypothesized extraction mechanism: Algorithms preferentially surface emotionally activating content because such content is associated with increased engagement metrics. Prolonged exposure conditions chronic reactivity. Sealing strategies include emotional labeling, delayed response, and content diet curation.
4.3 Identity Performance
Identity performance is sustained effort to manage self‑presentation for external approval, often through curated selves and social comparison.
| Operational Definition | Proposed Proxy | Evidence Base |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency of checking social engagement metrics and emotional response to those metrics | Social media check frequency; Need for Approval Scale; Rosenberg Self‑Esteem Scale | Festinger, 1954; Goffman, 1959; Twenge & Campbell, 2019 |
Hypothesized extraction mechanism: External approval substitutes for intrinsic self‑worth. The gap between curated and authentic self creates cognitive dissonance, shame, and exhaustion. Sealing strategies include posting without checking engagement, limiting audience, and intrinsic goal setting.
4.4 Relational Modulation
Relational modulation is the regulation (or dysregulation) of coherence through social connection. The quality of the relational medium — kind vs. abusive, supportive vs. extractive, co‑regulating vs. dysregulating — determines whether attention is coherence‑preserving or coherence‑extracting.
| Relational Mode | Nervous System Response | Proposed Coherence Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Kind, supportive presence | Ventral vagal activation (Porges, 2011) | Coherence preserved |
| Abusive, extractive presence | Sympathetic or dorsal activation (Porges, 2011) | Coherence depleted |
| Neutral, indifferent presence | No regulation effect | Coherence unchanged |
Hypothesized extraction mechanism: Chronic exposure to abusive or extractive presence dysregulates the nervous system, producing hypervigilance, emotional dysregulation, and attentional fragmentation (Herman, 1992; van der Kolk, 2014). Conversely, kind, supportive presence co‑regulates, preserving coherence (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007; Fredrickson, 2009). Sealing strategies include relational auditing, increasing time with kind/supportive people, and decreasing time with abusive/extractive people.
5. Relational Coherence as Missing Variable
The existing attention economy literature has focused almost exclusively on platforms as the primary extractors of human attention (Zuboff, 2019; Alter, 2017; Williams, 2018). This paper argues that the quality of the relational medium is as important as platform design. Attention given to an abusive partner extracts coherence. Attention given to a kind, supportive presence strengthens coherence.
Hypothesis: The relational dimension moderates or mediates the effects of platform design. Individuals with supportive social networks may be more resilient to platform‑induced fragmentation; individuals in abusive or extractive relationships may be more vulnerable.
This hypothesis is offered for future testing. The framework does not claim causal priority; relational and platform mechanisms likely interact.
6. Operationalization and Measurement
| Construct | Proposed Measure | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attentional coherence | Attention Control Scale; task‑switching frequency | Self‑report; behavioral | Derryberry & Reed, 2002 |
| Autonomic coherence | HRV (RMSSD, HF power) | Physiological | Thayer & Lane, 2000 |
| Emotional coherence | Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) | Self‑report | Gross & John, 2003 |
| Behavioral coherence | Self‑report; ecological momentary assessment | Self‑report; behavioral | — |
| Relational coherence | Social Support Scale; Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) | Self‑report | Zimet et al., 1988; Brennan et al., 1998 |
| Attentional fragmentation | Screen time; notification frequency | Behavioral | — |
| Emotional activation | Cortisol; self‑reported anger/anxiety | Physiological; self‑report | — |
| Identity performance | Social media check frequency; Need for Approval Scale | Behavioral; self‑report | — |
| Relational extraction | Conflict frequency; perceived emotional abuse | Self‑report | — |
7. Research Agenda
| Hypothesis | Description | Prediction | Proposed Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| H1: Notification reduction | Reducing notification frequency will increase HRV and self‑reported attentional control. | ↓ notifications → ↑ HRV, ↑ attention control | RCT |
| H2: Outrage exposure | Exposure to outrage content will increase cortisol and self‑reported anger compared to neutral content. | ↑ outrage → ↑ cortisol, ↑ anger | Controlled exposure |
| H3: Post‑and‑detach | Posting without checking engagement will reduce validation seeking and increase self‑reported authenticity. | ↓ checking → ↓ validation seeking, ↑ authenticity | Pre‑post intervention |
| H4: Digital minimalism | A 4‑week digital minimalism intervention will increase HRV and reduce self‑reported fragmentation. | ↓ screen time → ↑ HRV, ↑ coherence | RCT |
| H5: Relational audit | Individuals who reduce time with abusive/extractive people and increase time with kind/supportive people will show increased HRV and reduced self‑reported extraction. | ↑ kind time → ↑ HRV, ↓ extraction | Longitudinal survey |
| H6: Relational moderation | The effect of platform design on coherence will be moderated by relational quality. | ↑ relational support → ↓ platform extraction | Moderated regression |
| H7: Coherence validation | The proposed coherence construct will correlate with validated well‑being measures (WHO‑5, PERMA) and inversely correlate with perceived stress (PSS). | r > 0.5 with well‑being, r < -0.5 with PSS | Cross‑sectional validation |
8. Limitations
| Limitation | Mitigation |
|---|---|
| Heuristic, not empirical | The framework is offered for hypothesis generation; empirical testing required |
| Construct breadth | Coherence is multidimensional; the framework does not assume a single unified construct |
| Potential overlap between mechanisms | Attentional, emotional, and relational mechanisms may interact; additive or multiplicative effects require testing |
| Individual variation | Optimal levels of regulation may vary by context and personality |
| Cultural specificity | Some proxies (e.g., social media use) may vary across cultures |
| Self‑report bias | Some measures rely on self‑report; where possible, behavioral and physiological proxies are preferred |
| No causal evidence yet | The framework proposes correlations and plausible mechanisms; causation requires experimental testing |
9. Conclusion
This paper has proposed an integrative conceptual framework for understanding coherence extraction — the systematic depletion of human capacity for attentional stability, autonomic regulation, emotional modulation, and intentional behavioral alignment. Four mechanisms were identified: attentional fragmentation, emotional activation, identity performance, and relational modulation. The relational dimension, previously neglected in the attention economy literature, may be a central moderating variable.
The framework is offered heuristically. All claims are probabilistic; testable hypotheses are provided. The paper does not present empirical evidence; it synthesizes existing literatures and proposes a research agenda.
If validated, the framework would suggest that sovereignty — adaptive self‑regulation in extractive environments — requires sealing multiple leakage vectors: attentional (scheduled checking, notification removal), emotional (labeling, delayed response), identity (post without checking, intrinsic goals), and relational (auditing relationships, increasing kind presence). The framework invites empirical testing.
“Coherence extraction is not a conspiracy. It is an emergent property of systems optimized for engagement, not well‑being. The witness’s task is not to fight these systems. It is to recognize them — and to seal the leaks they create.”
10. References
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- Coan, J. A. (2011). The social regulation of emotion. In J. Decety & J. T. Cacioppo (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Social Neuroscience (pp. 614–623). Oxford University Press.
- Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self‑determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268.
- Derryberry, D., & Reed, M. A. (2002). Anxiety‑related attentional biases and their regulation by attentional control. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 111(2), 225–236.
- Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117–140.
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- Zuboff, S. (2019). The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power. PublicAffairs.
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