Reciprocal narrowing, as articulated by Jordan Hall, refers to the insidious process by which individuals or groups increasingly constrain each other's perceptions, choices, and actions within a progressively tightening loop of mutual reinforcement. This dynamic often arises from a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic pressures that foster a reduction in cognitive and emotional bandwidth, leading to a truncated view of reality. As the feedback loop solidifies, the participants’ ability to adapt and respond to the broader complexity of their environment diminishes, exacerbating a closed system of thought and behavior. This phenomenon is particularly pernicious in socio-political contexts, where it accelerates polarization and hampers collective intelligence, thereby stymying the capacity for nuanced understanding and effective problem-solving.

See also: choice making, feedback loop, game theory, reciprocal opening, simulated thinking