Two systems of thinking

Over the decades there has been plenty of research into how we think and make decisions. Daniel Kahneman is a noble prize winning researcher who did a lot of research on the cognitive processes of the brain and how it makes judgments under various conditions. 

Kahneman in his book ‘Thinking fast and Slow’ states that we need to look at our thinking processes as consisting of two distinct and different types of processes. He calls them ‘System 1 thinking’ and System 2 thinking’. 

System 1 and system 2 are not associated with the left or right brains or with creativity or any physical parts of the brain in the human body. But these are names given to two different types of thinking. 

Kahneman gives some examples to illustrate the two types of thinking:  

The Angry woman 

When you look at the picture above, and are asked what is the woman thinking or emotion that she is experiencing, you are most likely to find that your brain has deciphered the emotion to be one of anger - and this understanding that the woman is angry is almost instantaneous. You did not have to concentrate, analyze or mentally compare with past interpretations of the look to arrive at your conclusion that she is angry. 

 

 

 

Numerical example 

Or lets take a look at another example that Kahneman gives. Take a look at the problem below, and decide whether each of the answers below is correct 

17x24 = ? 

1. 12068 ? 

2. 124? 

3. 823? 

4. 568? 

In the first three answers you would have found that you did not need any time to decide that the answers are wrong. But when you came to 568, its quite likely that your brain paused for a moment and considered the answer. Could this be correct? 

And as I have seen in several workshops, most people declare that it is the right answer. The number of digits look right, the number ends in a ‘8’ which the right answer should end in.  

There is a qualitative difference in the way our thinking operates while negating the first three numbers, and while considering and evaluating whether 568 is the right answer. In the first three instances, we did not need to pause to think - we knew the answers were wrong. But in the last instance - we paused, evaluated for short or long, and then delivered a verdict - of right or wrong.  

The brain focused on the problem, put in some concentration and effort in the evaluation. Kahneman calls this deliberate, attention giving type of thinking as System 2 thinking. 

• System 2 thinking requires attention and effort, and the activity suffers if attention is disrupted. System 2 thinking is also associated with the feeling of agency. When we think of ourselves as a person, it is system 2 thinking. 

• System 1 operates automatically and quickly with little or no effort and no sense of voluntary control 

• system 2 allocates attention to the effortful mental activities that demand it including complex computations 

• The operations of system two are often associated with the subjective experience of agency choice and concentration 

 

When we think of others we identify with system 2. Let's take a look at some of the system one activities 

• detect that one object is more distant than another 

• Orient to the source of a certain sound 

• Complete the phrase bread an 

• detect hostility in a voice 

• answer to 2 + 2 is equal to 

• Read words on large billboards 

• Drive a car on an empty Rd 

• Find a strong move in chess especially if you're a chess master. those who might not be experts in chess uh they would not necessarily have an operation of system one thinking  they but they would need system 2 thinking. 

 

The highly diverse operations of System 2 have one feature in common: they require attention and are disrupted when attention is drawn away. Here are some examples:    

•  Check the validity of a complex logical argument. 

•  Budgeting for building a house 

•  Developing a marketing strategy 

•  Fill out a Tax return 

•  Brace for the starter gun in a race.  

• Focus on the voice of a particular person in a crowded and noisy room. 

Critical thinking is a system 2 activity.  It is a conscious directed activity and needs attention and effort.  If attention is taken away from the activity on hand the activity gets disrupted.

Lets now take a look at some more features of System and System 2 thinking in the context of problem solving and decision making

Efficiency vs. Accuracy: System 1 thinking is efficient and allows for rapid decision-making, which is beneficial in situations where time is limited or immediate action is required. However, it is prone to biases and cognitive shortcuts. System 2 thinking, while slower, offers more accuracy and helps counteract biases by engaging in deliberate analysis and reasoning.

Cognitive Biases: System 1 thinking is susceptible to cognitive biases, such as anchoring, confirmation bias, or availability heuristic. These biases can lead to errors in judgment and decision-making. System 2 thinking can help recognize and correct these biases by actively questioning assumptions and engaging in critical thinking.

Complex Problem Solving: System 2 thinking is crucial when tackling complex problems that require deep analysis, creative thinking, and considering multiple perspectives. It enables individuals to break down problems into manageable parts, explore alternative solutions, and evaluate potential risks and benefits.

Cognitive Load: System 2 thinking requires mental effort and can be mentally taxing. When faced with cognitive overload or decision fatigue, individuals may rely more on System 1 thinking, leading to suboptimal decisions. Recognizing the need to manage cognitive load and allowing for breaks or additional time can help mitigate this.

Interaction and Balance: Effective problem-solving and decision-making often involve a balance between System 1 and System 2 thinking. System 1 provides intuition, pattern recognition, and initial ideas, while System 2 provides critical analysis, evaluation, and reflection. Understanding when to engage each system and when to transition between them is key to making well-informed decisions.

Do you use system 1 thinking or system 2 thinking to solve problems and make decisions.