What is analytical overlay?

Analytical overlay is a concept used particularly in espionage and cognitive science. According to Andrew Bustamante on the Impact Theory, it refers to the way a person's life experiences and education shape their perception of new information. Essentially, one's predominant understanding and base assumptions influence how they interpret and react to new data.

For example, if someone grew up in a military family, their analytical overlay might include a strong sense of discipline and hierarchy. This intrinsic overlay affects their perspective, making them view new situations or information through this pre-existing lens. This concept is tied to the idea of priming, where presenting certain information influences subsequent thoughts and behaviors 1.

Understanding analytical overlay helps in recognizing how people's backgrounds influence their current viewpoints and decisions. This insight is valuable not just in intelligence, but in areas like marketing, psychology, and communication.