The Core-Wave Theory (CWT): A Multilevel Dynamic Framework of Identity-Linked Projection, Social Feedback, and Collective Emergence

The Core-Wave Theory (CWT) is proposed as an integrative, multilevel framework for investigating identity-linked self-evaluation, behavioral projection, audience reception, feedback-driven adaptation, and collective social patterns. The framework treats observable self-expression as a potentially context-dependent process rather than as a direct and invariant manifestation of a single psychological disposition. It connects individual motivational states, identity-domain salience, opportunity structures, resource constraints, audience responses, ponses, and learning dynamics to candidate mechanisms of group-level aggregation.The proposed architecture contains eight coupled causal layers: (1) evolutionary and developmental substrate, (2) identity and self-model, (3) motivational valuation, (4) structural context and constraints, (5) projection and behavioral externalization, (6) audience, network, and social reception, (7) cybernetic feedback and adaptation, and (8) collective and civilizational emergence. Four cross-cutting modules address temporal dynamics, measurement, mathematical and computational formalization, and empirical validation.The mathematical specification combines a latent-state model, domain-specific utility functions, probabilistic choice, constrained behavioral effort, an operational externalization index, audience-response functions, prediction-error updating, domain-switching rules, network exposure, norm dynamics, and outcome-specific macro-level transitions. Candidate equations are provided to make the framework operationally explicit while preserving the distinction between theoretical assumptions, observed variables, and empirical findings.A staged research program specifies construct measurement, parameter identification, competing-model comparisons, longitudinal observation, agent-based simulation, historical comparison, sensitivity analysis, falsification criteria, and conditional future scenarios. The framework does not assume that all human behavior is motivated by self-validation, that human motivational mechanisms are historically invariant, or that social and civilizational outcomes share a single cause. CWT's distinctive explanatory value remains a testable research question requiring literature review, adequate data, and independent predictive validation.