kogemusel

Kogemusel is a theoretical construct in cognitive science used to describe a mode of knowledge formation centered on personal experience. In this view, knowledge arises not only as abstract rules but is shaped by episodic memories and the affective valence attached to events. Proponents describe kogemusel as a bridge between experiential learning and decision making, helping to explain why certain experiences disproportionately influence later judgments.

Origins and etymology: The term combines the Estonian word kogemus for experience with a suffix used in some constructions to denote modality or condition. It has appeared in interdisciplinary discussions about experiential cognition since the early 2020s and remains informal rather than a formal, widely accepted term.

Mechanisms: The model posits stages of encoding, consolidation, and retrieval in which attention and emotion tag experiences; retrieval of similar experiences can bias interpretation and choice. Learning via kogemusel tends to be tacit, context-dependent, and resistant to explicit verbalization.

Applications: In education, reflective practice and problem-based learning aim to strengthen kogemusel-informed transfer. In design, systems may adapt to a user’s kogemusel history, prioritizing content that aligns with prior experiences.

Relation to other concepts and criticisms: It overlaps with episodic memory, affective neuroscience, and experiential learning theory. Critics note that kogemusel is difficult to operationalize and prone to confirmation bias, and that its explanatory power may be limited outside specific contexts.

See also: experiential learning, memory, decision making, cognitive bias, user experience.