Qualitative Evaluation of Mode-Dependent Screening in the Scalar Temporal Field Ontology

We investigate the qualitative behavior of mode-dependent screening in the Scalar Temporal Field Ontology (STFO). Building on the previously derived linear response operator and associated screening kernel, we analyze how spatial structure influences self-interaction strength. Using a physically motivated overlap argument, we show that more compact configurations exhibit stronger self-screening than extended configurations. This leads to a qualitative hierarchy of screening strength across bound states. This work provides a consistency check for the STFO screening framework and establishes a foundation for future quantitative evaluation of the screening functional.