Model of Anticipatory Cognitive Architectonics (MACA): Testing Whether Structure Can Be Separated from Directive Instruction in Early Cognitive Development

Abstract

This preprint presents the Model of Anticipatory Cognitive Architectonics (MACA) — a theoretical framework addressing the Functional Maturation Gap between structural maturation of the prefrontal cortex and the emergence of sustained formal-operational thinking. The work formulates eight falsifiable hypotheses and proposes a complete empirical verification protocol (cohort-sequential design) to test whether the structure of early cognitive exposure can be separated from the directive mode of its delivery. This version includes an explicit disclosure of AI tool use in the preparation of the manuscript, in accordance with current transparency standards. An earlier version of this work is currently under appeal at PsyArXiv. Keywords: cognitive development, prefrontal cortex, formal operations, anticipatory cognition, scaffolding, neurodiversity, theoretical model