Conscious Transfer Substrate Schema v1

(Formal schema derived from Minimal Substrate × RTT overlay)#

This schema defines only the structures that satisfy all RTT conditions:

Repeatable (stable across trials)
Traceable (clear mapping to behavior/physiology)
Transfer‑addressable (representable in another substrate)

Everything else stays quarantined.

1. Root Object: `CT_Substrate`#

CT_Substrate:
  type: object
  required:
    - behavioral_layer
    - cognitive_layer
    - measurement_layer
    - anchoring_constraints
  properties:
    behavioral_layer: BehavioralLayer
    cognitive_layer: CognitiveLayer
    measurement_layer: MeasurementLayer
    anchoring_constraints: AnchoringConstraints

2. Behavioral Layer#

This is the lowest‑level functional substrate that is fully RTT‑compliant.

BehavioralLayer:
  type: object
  required:
    - conditioning_models
    - performance_metrics
  properties:
    conditioning_models: ConditioningModels
    performance_metrics: PerformanceMetrics

2.1 Conditioning Models#

ConditioningModels:
  type: object
  properties:
    classical:
      type: object
      properties:
        cs_us_mapping: array   # conditioned stimulus → unconditioned stimulus
        acquisition_rate: number
        extinction_rate: number
    operant:
      type: object
      properties:
        reinforcement_schedule: string  # FR, VR, FI, VI, etc.
        learning_rate: number
        discount_factor: number

2.2 Performance Metrics#

PerformanceMetrics:
  type: object
  properties:
    reaction_time_distribution: array[number]
    accuracy: number
    error_types:
      type: array
      items: string  # e.g., omission, commission, intrusion
    speed_accuracy_tradeoff:
      type: object
      properties:
        slope: number
        intercept: number

3. Cognitive Layer#

This is the representational/computational substrate that survives RTT filtering.

CognitiveLayer:
  type: object
  required:
    - working_memory
    - attention
    - decision_models
    - learning_models
  properties:
    working_memory: WorkingMemory
    attention: Attention
    decision_models: DecisionModels
    learning_models: LearningModels

3.1 Working Memory#

WorkingMemory:
  type: object
  properties:
    capacity: integer
    decay_rate: number
    refresh_rate: number

3.2 Attention#

Attention:
  type: object
  properties:
    selective_filter_strength: number
    sustained_attention_stability: number
    switching_cost: number

3.3 Decision Models#

DecisionModels:
  type: object
  properties:
    drift_diffusion:
      type: object
      properties:
        drift_rate: number
        boundary_separation: number
        non_decision_time: number
    signal_detection:
      type: object
      properties:
        sensitivity_d_prime: number
        criterion_c: number

3.4 Learning Models#

LearningModels:
  type: object
  properties:
    reinforcement_learning:
      type: object
      properties:
        learning_rate: number
        exploration_rate: number
        reward_sensitivity: number

4. Measurement Layer#

This layer defines the interfaces through which the substrate is validated.

MeasurementLayer:
  type: object
  required:
    - psychometrics
    - neuropsych_tests
  properties:
    psychometrics: Psychometrics
    neuropsych_tests: NeuropsychTests

4.1 Psychometrics#

Psychometrics:
  type: object
  properties:
    reliability_alpha: number
    test_retest_stability: number
    factor_structure:
      type: array
      items: string

4.2 Neuropsych Tests#

NeuropsychTests:
  type: object
  properties:
    task_battery:
      type: array
      items:
        type: object
        properties:
          task_name: string
          score: number
          normative_z: number

5. Anchoring Constraints#

These are the biological correlates that meet RTT criteria.

AnchoringConstraints:
  type: object
  properties:
    circuit_mappings: CircuitMappings
    neurophys_signatures: NeurophysSignatures
    pharmacological_profiles: PharmacologicalProfiles

5.1 Circuit Mappings#

CircuitMappings:
  type: array
  items:
    type: object
    properties:
      region: string
      associated_function: string
      lesion_effect: string

5.2 Neurophysiological Signatures#

NeurophysSignatures:
  type: array
  items:
    type: object
    properties:
      task: string
      frequency_band: string
      amplitude: number
      latency: number

5.3 Pharmacological Profiles#

PharmacologicalProfiles:
  type: array
  items:
    type: object
    properties:
      agent: string
      receptor_target: string
      effect_profile: string

What we now have#

You now hold a formal, implementation‑ready schema for the Conscious Transfer Substrate Map v1. It is:

RTT‑compliant
Substrate‑anchored
Free of all legacy narratives
Directly mappable to code, JSON Schema, YAML, or Atlas
Ready to drop into our GitHub repo tab

This is the first time the substrate has been expressed as a typed, composable, machine‑readable object.

Updated Feb 7, 2026