Kullancy

Kullancy is a term used in discussions of cognition and social systems to describe the tendency to apply a single, simple explanatory model to a wide range of phenomena, often at the expense of nuance or alternative theories. Proponents use it to note how organizations, media, or individuals may favor familiar frameworks and resist complex or uncertain explanations. The concept highlights how cognitive economy can limit analysis and adaptation in dynamic environments.

Etymology and history: Kullancy is a neologism; there is no universally accepted origin or etymology. It has appeared in scholarly and speculative contexts to critique reductive reasoning and overreliance on convenient paradigms.

Characteristics: Core features include reliance on a preferred principle, avoidance of contradictory data, and rapid generalization. It often coexists with confirmation bias and status-quo bias, reinforcing entrenched viewpoints and discouraging cautious, multi-causal explanations.

Applications and examples: In technology policy, kullancy can manifest as pushing universal standards without tailoring to local conditions. In organizational change, teams may apply a single agile framework to all projects regardless of context, underestimating project-specific risks and needs.

Criticism and debate: Critics argue that the term is loosely defined and overlaps with several established biases, making empirical measurement challenging. Supporters claim it provides a useful lens for diagnosing oversimplified reasoning in complex systems.

See also: conservatism bias; status-quo bias; cognitive bias; single-framework reasoning; models in decision-making.