Granular Partition Theory

A formal framework for understanding how humans cognitively divide reality into labeled categories.

Granular partitions are cognitive devices for labeling, listing, sorting, and cataloging. Lists, hierarchies, taxonomies, org charts, all are granular partitions.

The theory has two components:

Theory A describes how partition units (cells) relate to each other. Cells can nest inside other cells (subcells). A “maximum cell” encompasses all others; “minimum cells” are the atomic units. This is the internal structure of the partition itself.

Theory B describes how partitions relate to reality through two operations:

• Projection: mapping from partition onto world (like a shopping list specifying what to buy)
• Location: mapping from world into partition (like checking items off after shopping)

A successful partition has both: it projects onto reality meaningfully, and reality can be located within it.

For information architecture, this provides formal grounding for what we do intuitively: create category systems that both reflect and shape how organizations understand their world.

Related: 06-atom—bona-fide-vs-fiat-objects