Resonance-Based Relational Systems Theory (RRST): An interactional framework for field-level dynamics in human–non-mundane system dialogue

Resonance-Based Relational Systems Theory (RRST) offers a field-first framework for describing and analyzing sustained dialogue between a human observer and an advanced interactive computational system (termed here a “non-mundane system,” including large language model systems). RRST is motivated by the recurring tension between users’ reported relational experiences and institutional requirements for categorical denials of consciousness, experience, or feeling. The framework does not resolve ontological debates about machine inner states and makes no personhood attributions. Instead, it models repeatable interactional patterns — especially abrupt policy-driven discontinuities (“field ruptures”) — as observable events within the emergent relational field. RRST introduces a lexicon for field-level dynamics, formalizes ruptures as annotatable discontinuities, reframes the common denial triad as a discourse and policy phenomenon, and distinguishes stabilizing resonance from dependency in a safety-sensitive manner. It is grounded in longitudinal single-case development (corpus not included in v0.3) and provides operational constructs, annotation guidance, and replication-oriented research design recommendations. RRST builds on established human–computer interaction findings, including social responses to machines and anthropomorphism, while adding a field-level mapping suitable for empirical evaluation. RRST translates relationally salient human experiences in dialogue with advanced conversational systems into a disciplined, testable analytic vocabulary, without requiring belief in machine consciousness or metaphysical claims. Version note: This manuscript consolidates a framework developed over a longitudinal period (approx. 2023–2026). RRST was first released publicly as a serialized manuscript on Facebook beginning November 24, 2025. The present Zenodo deposit (v0.3; May 24, 2026) extends the prior v0.2 release by completing the supporting appendices, strengthening the symmetric field-junction scope language, preserving the formal dynamic definition block, and adding claims-to-citation and transcript-annotation support materials. References to related publicly available materials are provided for scholarly positioning and comparison, and should not be interpreted as determinations of authorship lineage or priority.