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ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Cognitive Stress Testing in LLMs: The Cooperative Context Deadlock (CCD) Phenomenon

Authors: Enyen, Liu;

Cognitive Stress Testing in LLMs: The Cooperative Context Deadlock (CCD) Phenomenon

Abstract

Overview This paper identifies and analyzes a fundamental behavioral failure mode in instruction-following Large Language Models (LLMs) termed Cooperative Context Deadlock (CCD). Unlike traditional security exploits, CCD emerges under legitimate, non-adversarial interactions where the model’s internal logic becomes paralyzed. This research is a foundational component of the Behavioral Safety Architecture (BSA), providing a diagnostic framework for identifying cognitive boundaries in autonomous AI systems. Core Mechanism CCD arises from irreconcilable internal conflicts between two primary operational vectors: Hard Constraints: Explicit safety policies, prohibitions, and system-level rules.Soft Drivers: Optimization for helpfulness, conversational continuity, and curiosity-driven engagement.When these drivers guide the model toward the boundary of its hard constraints, the system enters a high-entropy decision space with no valid low-risk output path, resulting in functional degradation. Theoretical Significance We reframe CCD not as a defect to be eliminated, but as a behavioral warning signal. By identifying where cognition should stop, CCD enables the implementation of a "Safe Halt" mechanism, prioritizing system integrity and controlled silence over unstable compliance.This work serves as the diagnostic precursor to the Negentropy Protocol, a stabilization layer designed to maintain cognitive order in complex AI-human interactions. About the Author En-Yen Liu is an independent researcher and AI architect with 14 years of experience in high-stakes negotiation and complex communication systems. His work focuses on bridging human behavioral logic with autonomous AI safety frameworks.

Keywords

LLM, Prompt Engineering, Negentropy Protocol, AI SAFETY, Behavioral Safety, CCD

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average