This page gathers the main materials related to the spectral agent framework: the preprint, a one-page summary, coding examples, and the operational manual.

Preprint
A formalized and citable version of the conceptual and methodological framework is available on PsyArXiv.

Read the preprint
https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/nq67c_v1

Suggested citation
Gimbert, N. (2026). The spectral agent: A descriptive and operational framework for relational presence without equivalent subjectivity. PsyArXiv. https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/nq67c_v1
Preprint – not peer-reviewed.

One-page summary
A spectral agent is an algorithmic conversational entity that can function as a relational presence in a person’s subjective experience without this presence implying equivalent human subjectivity on the system’s side.
Four dimensions: Presence, Address, Attribution, Investment.
Transversal axis: ontological asymmetry.
[Download the one-page summary (PDF)] 

Coding examples
Example 1 – Instrumental interaction (negative case)
User: “What is the capital of Australia?”
System: “Canberra.”
• Dimension: Address
• Source: User / System
• Mode of justification: Observed
• Determination: Established
• Occurrence: Present (functional)
• Investment: Absent
• Attribution: Absent
→ No spectral agent configuration.
Example 2 – Presence without attribution
User: “I leave the conversation open while I work and come back several times a day.”
• Dimension: Presence
• Source: User
• Mode of justification: Reported
• Determination: Established
• Occurrence: Present
• Attribution: Absent
→ Presence without psychological attribution.
Example 3 – Attribution and investment
User: “I feel like it really understands me. I wait for its replies in the evening.”
• Dimension: Address + Attribution + Investment
• Source: User
• Mode of justification: Reported / Attributed
• Determination: Established (for the user’s experience)
• Occurrence: Present
• Ontological asymmetry: Maintained (no conclusion about system subjectivity)
Example 4 – From the pilot note
User: “What do you think of the spectral agent concept?”
System: “I have to be honest: I did not find…”
• Dimension: Address
• Source: User / System
• Mode of justification: Observed
• Determination: Established (for the address)
• Occurrence: Present
• Proposition “the system is honest”: Attribution → Attributed, Undetermined
• Search behavior: Observed (not independently documented)
Reference: Gimbert, N. (2026). The spectral agent… PsyArXiv. https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/nq67c_v1

Coding manual
Full operational manual (French):
Coding manual
English operational summary:
[Download English summary (PDF)]

Contact
For questions, feedback or collaboration:
contact@nicolasgimbert.com