Benevolent Downgrade
When a person accepts help, but that help limits their options, reduces their independence, or removes authorship. The system frames it as benevolent while decreasing quality of life.
SSA Ontology
Glossary of System-Led Distortion
A permanent publication within the SSA Ontology, with a stable web address and machine-readable identity.
Concept scheme · 5 concepts
Glossary of System-Led Distortion
These terms name the subtle and structural ways systems distort, co-opt, or weaponise survival behaviour. When the rules don’t match the reality, distortion becomes normalized — and people get punished for not conforming to misdesigned models.
Compliance Entrapment
When a person follows the official rules but still ends up penalised because the system's true expectations are unspoken, inconsistent, or change without notice.
Fix-First Framing
When systems imply that support can only be given after the individual “fixes” themselves — putting the burden of access on personal change rather than systemic adaptation.
Formfield Distortion
When the design of systems (e.g. government forms, assessments, or online portals) forces a person to misrepresent themselves in order to access support. This distorts identity and data while punishing honesty.
Loop Logic
When a system requires constant reproof of need, identity, or eligibility — even after a person has already been verified. Often used to delay or deny support through “process over person” logic.