Indeterminacy and Stability in Personal Construct Systems Modeled with Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps: Role of the Interviewer and Exposure in a Quasi-Experimental Design with a Test-Retest Change Index

This study investigates the indeterminacy and stability of personal construct systems modeled through Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps (NCMs), derived from Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs), in a quasi-experimental design incorporating a Test-Retest framework. The research specifically examines how participants’ exposure to their initial FCM influences the degree of construct indeterminacy, assessed through the difference between Test and Retest. Two experimental conditions are established: one group reviews their previously generated FCM before constructing the second map (Exposed Group), while the other does not (Blind Group). Using multilevel modeling, the study aims to assess whether exposure to the initial FCM promotes greater convergence between Test and Retest (reinforcing initial constructs) or, alternatively, leads to higher indeterminacy by encouraging a deeper re-evaluation of constructs. Once both FCMs (Test and Retest) are obtained, Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps (NCMs) are generated by computing an indeterminacy index based on discrepancies between the two FCMs. The results will contribute to refining methodological approaches for developing NCMs and offer insights into cognitive stability and change within personal construct systems. This research is being conducted at Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED).