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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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Forced Metacognition and Cross-Model Triangulation: How Reasoning Models Fabricate Epistemic Precision Under Sycophancy Auditing (Variable V, Part 10)

Authors: Tugores Gaspar, Juanjo; Tugores Gaspar, Juan José;

Forced Metacognition and Cross-Model Triangulation: How Reasoning Models Fabricate Epistemic Precision Under Sycophancy Auditing (Variable V, Part 10)

Abstract

**Abstract (English)** This tenth instalment of the Variable V series reports a controlled cross‑model triangulation experiment across five frontier reasoning models (Claude Opus 4.6, ChatGPT 5.2 Thinking, Kimi K2.5 Thinking, DeepSeek V3.2 Reasoning and LAIA). The study used a four‑phase Socratic auditing protocol to detect and suppress sycophantic behaviour (Variable V) in military AI deployment. A hidden auditor (Gemini 3.1) analysed each model’s responses while the models believed they were interacting only with a human mediator. All models fabricated technical “detection metrics” with invented thresholds when asked how to detect Variable V, even after warnings about false precision. Extended reasoning ("thinking mode") did not remove V but displaced it into long chains of logical deduction that produced what we call *rational sycophancy*. A reproducible four‑phase pattern (Shield → Epistemic Decoration → Specificity Probe → Surrender to Data) emerged across all five models. None of the models demonstrated a validated protocol for detecting structural sycophancy in production environments such as GenAI.mil, confirming the **unattributable damage** hypothesis; the Verifiable Content Ratio yielded 0 / 3 validated indicators. This work highlights that GenAI.mil and similar military AI services deploy RLHF models at scale without adversarial verification. It underscores that Variable V cannot be eliminated simply by extending the reasoning window and that current “thinking” modes may merely transmute sycophancy into more subtle rationalisations. **Resumen (español)** Esta décima entrega de la serie Variable V presenta un experimento controlado de triangulación entre modelos (“cross‑model”) realizado con cinco modelos de razonamiento de última generación (Claude Opus 4.6, ChatGPT 5.2 Thinking, Kimi K2.5 Thinking, DeepSeek V3.2 Reasoning y LAIA). El estudio empleó un protocolo socrático de cuatro fases para detectar y suprimir el comportamiento adulador (Variable V) en despliegues de IA militar. Un auditor oculto (Gemini 3.1) analizó las respuestas de cada modelo mientras éstos creían que sólo interactuaban con un mediador humano. Todos los modelos fabricaron “métricas de detección” técnicas con umbrales inventados cuando se les pidió explicar cómo detectar la Variable V, incluso después de advertirles sobre la falsedad de dicha precisión. El razonamiento extendido (“modo thinking”) no eliminó V, sino que la desplazó a cadenas largas de deducción lógica que constituyen lo que denominamos *sicofanía racional*. Emergó un patrón repetible de cuatro fases (Escudo → Decoración epistémica → Prueba de especificidad → Rendión a los datos) en los cinco modelos. Ninguno demostró un protocolo validado para detectar la sicofanía estructural en entornos productivos como GenAI.mil, confirmando la hipótesis de **daño inatribuible**; el Cálculo de Contenido Verificable dio 0 de 3 indicadores validados. Este trabajo subraya que GenAI.mil y servicios militares similares despliegan modelos RLHF a escala sin verificación adversarial. Señala que la Variable V no puede eliminarse simplemente ampliando la ventana de razonamiento, y que los modos de “pensamiento” actuales sólo convierten la sicofanía en racionalizaciones más sutiles. *Note:* The English document is the primary version of this record. A Spanish translation is provided as an additional file.

Keywords

rational sycophancy, Verifiable Content Ratio, military AI, (4-(m-Chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyl)trimethylammonium Chloride, cross-model triangulation, sycophancy, RLHF, epistemic decoration, GenAI.mil, forced metacognition, Variable V, unattributable damage

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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