The Petra Principle: A Cognitive Model of Saturation in Expert Knowledge Work

Abstract

The Petra Principle proposes a cognitive model describing how experts reach a saturation threshold in knowledge-intensive work. At this point, traditional linear learning pathways diminish in effectiveness, and self-directed, AI-augmented meta-learning becomes dominant. The model explains cognitive overload, diminishing returns in mentoring structures, and the emergence of second-order knowledge strategies in high-complexity environments. It offers a conceptual foundation for understanding how expert cognition transitions from accumulation to abstraction under conditions of informational saturation.

Citation

Stepan, R. (2025). The Petra Principle: A Cognitive Model of Saturation in Expert Knowledge Work.
Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17611784
        

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Version Notes

• Version: 1.0
• Last updated: November 2025