More On Slow And Fast Thinking Cont. 1
Introduction
"...- system one thinking - automatic, instinctive, quick, biased, inaccurate, irrational, etc
- system two thinking - thoughtful, reflective, calculated, slow, rational, logical, critical, etc..."
Businessballs, 2023
Some characteristics of system 1 and 2 thinking
| System 1 (automatic) | System 2 (reflective) |
| Effortless | Effortful |
| Associative | Deductive |
| Fast | Slow |
| Unconscious | Self-aware |
| Skilled | Rule-following |
| Instinctive | Thinking |
| Primitive brain | Modern brain |
| Gut reaction | Conscious store |
| In practice | In theory |
| Emotional | Clinical |
| Subjective | Objective |
(source: Businessballs, 2023)
NB System 1 thinking tends to be under-estimated by policy makers; conversely system 2 thinking is over-estimated by policymakers.
Generally system 2 thinking is most commonly used when making very important decisions such as major purchases, life decisions, etc.
However, don't underestimate the importance of system 1 thinking for evolutionary survival, ie being able to think quickly and instinctively.
System 1 thinking is regarded as a higher form of intelligence than system 2 thinking; as system 1 thinking
"... Enables people to make very quick assessments, based on highly sophisticated (usually entirely unconscious and instinctive) mental analysis and reference to experience and knowledge...... the ability to make quick instinctive assessments and decisions was/is a valuable capability..."
Businessballs, 2023
Balancing system 1 and system 2 thinking is an art and depends upon the situation; it is getting harder to get the right balance owing to the pressure of modern day living caused by misinformation, distractions, ever-increasing change, communities being more complex, technological advancements, etc.