schémat

Schémat is a term encountered in a minority of scholarly works to denote a schematic representation or schematic model of a system, process, or concept. It is not widely standardized and may appear in texts on cognitive science, semiotics, information design, and education. In practice, a schémat emphasizes structure and relationships over exact detail, functioning as a compact diagram or map of elements and their interconnections.

Origin and usage: The form schémat seems to derive from the word schema (or schéma) and the suffix -mat, used by some authors to mark a concrete, diagrammatic artifact. As a result, its meaning can vary by domain; some writers treat a schémat as a specific type of schematic diagram, while others use the term more loosely to describe any schematic representation.

Applications: In cognitive science, schémats are described as externalized representations that aid reasoning, planning, and communication. In information design, they serve as compact models of processes, networks, or data flows. In education, instructors use schémats to illustrate causal chains, workflows, or system architectures.

Relation to related concepts: Schémat overlaps with schema and schemata but is typically distinguished by its emphasis on an explicit diagrammatic form rather than a stored mental template. It also relates to diagrams, schematics, and models as types of representations. The term remains less common than these alternatives.

See also: Schema, Schemata, Diagram, Model, Schematic. Notes: Because the term is not yet widely standardized, readers should consult the defining context in each source to understand the intended scope.