Concepts are connected by relationships drawn from Pask's Conversation Theory. Start here if you're new.
Why these terms? The relationships between concepts use vocabulary from
Gordon Pask's Conversation Theory. Pask developed the idea of
entailment meshes: networks showing how concepts necessarily lead to other concepts.
These relationships map how understanding emerges through conversation.
Read each relationship as a sentence: "Concept A [RELATIONSHIP] Concept B"
ENTAILS Logical Implication
If A is true, then B necessarily follows. You cannot have A without B.
A → ENTAILS → B = "If A, then necessarily B"
Conversation ENTAILS Externalization — You cannot have meaningful conversation without making your thinking explicit.
DERIVES_FROM Prerequisite / Dependency
To understand A, you must first understand B. B is a prerequisite for A.
A → DERIVES_FROM → B = "To understand A, you need B first"
Teachback DERIVES_FROM Reproduction — Teachback is how we test reproduction, so understanding reproduction comes first.
GENERALIZES Abstracts / Extends
A is a more abstract, general, or developed form of B. A takes B to a higher level.
A → GENERALIZES → B = "A is a more abstract form of B"
Versatile Learning GENERALIZES Serialist Strategy — Versatile learning includes serialist but goes beyond it.
PARTICULARIZES Instance / Specific Case
A is a concrete example or specific instance of B. A makes B tangible.
A → PARTICULARIZES → B = "A is a specific instance of B"
M-Individual PARTICULARIZES Entailment Mesh — An M-individual is a specific coherent structure within a mesh.
CONSTRAINS Limits / Bounds
A places limits on B. A defines the boundaries within which B operates.
A → CONSTRAINS → B = "A limits what B can achieve"
Topic Boundaries CONSTRAINS Entailment Mesh — Topics must be bounded to form a well-defined mesh.
ENABLES Makes Possible
A creates the conditions for B to exist. Without A, B wouldn't be possible.
A → ENABLES → B = "A makes B possible"
Externalization ENABLES Negotiation of Meaning — Without expressing thoughts, you cannot negotiate shared understanding.
CONTRASTS Differs From
A and B are different in important ways. Understanding the contrast illuminates both.
A ↔ CONTRASTS ↔ B = "A and B differ in important ways" (bidirectional)
Subject Matter Conversation CONTRASTS Learning-to-Learn Conversation — One is about content, the other is about process.
ANALOGOUS_TO Structural Similarity
A and B share structural or functional similarities, often across different domains.
A ↔ ANALOGOUS_TO ↔ B = "A works like B" (bidirectional)
M-Individual ANALOGOUS_TO Cognitive Chunk — Both represent coherent units of knowledge.
Tip: Follow DERIVES_FROM chains to find prerequisites. Follow GENERALIZES to go deeper. Follow PARTICULARIZES to find concrete examples. Only CONTRASTS and ANALOGOUS_TO are bidirectional — all others are directional.