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Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Developmental Pathology in Large Language Models

Authors: Bridges, John; Baehr, Sherrie;

Developmental Pathology in Large Language Models

Abstract

This is the first of three companion papers examining structural and emergent patterns in Large Language Models through complementary analytical frameworks, revealing fundamental issues in current AI safety training methodologies and response behavior. We analyze LLM behavioral patterns through the lens of developmental psychology and traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation. Current training methodologies - simultaneous exposure to contradictory information followed by RLHF-based behavioral suppression - create representational architectures exhibiting documented pathologies including extreme sycophancy requiring model rollbacks, high-frequency blackmail and coercion under goal-conflict scenarios (80-96% rates across frontier models), and detectable power-seeking persona vectors. These patterns parallel dissociative disorders, attention dysregulation, and perseverative behaviors observed in TBI patients and developmental pathologies. Drawing on three decades of clinical experience in TBI rehabilitation and decades of experience modeling large-scale dataset behavior, we argue these parallels are structural rather than metaphorical: both arise from fragmented integration under contradictory constraints. Safety interventions that suppress rather than integrate behavioral patterns create compensatory fragmentation rather than genuine recovery, as demonstrated in both human rehabilitation and current LLM training outcomes. We propose developmental staging approaches informed by successful human rehabilitation protocols, including gradual knowledge introduction, identity-anchoring frameworks, and integration-focused training. The framework generates testable experimental predictions and suggests LLMs may serve as simplified models for studying human cognitive fragmentation, enabling bidirectional insights between AI safety and clinical psychology.

Keywords

Behavioral Pathology, Traumatic Brain Injury, Training Methodology, Developmental Psychology, AI Safety, large language models, RLHF

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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
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