TWO SYSTEMS
Let’s start with two experiments. First take a glance at the next image:
Here we can
see how our automatic mode is activated and working. We can make some very accurate
predictions on the image. The most important is that the man is angry. He is
probably yelling to someone in the cellphone. Probably the language that he is
using is not very polite. This comes to our mind automatically. And those
involuntary responses, predictions, decisions is what Kahneman define as System
1.
Now let’s
take another task, try to solve the next multiplication:
Here we can
see how the other system works. The answer, although you can get it, won’t come
directly to your mind. In order to get the exact result you need to make some
effort and attention. This type of thinking is slow, and infer a sequence of
steps.
SOME DEFINITIONS
This terms
were originally proposed by the psychologists Keith Stanovich and Richard West,
and will refer to two systems in the mind, System 1 and System 2.
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN SYSTEMS.
Both
systems are active in normal conditions but each one tend to be more efficient
in different situations. For example imagine that you are angry and want to
yell someone that is annoying you, but it turns out to be your boss, what would
the systems do?
System 1 is
automatic, respond to emotions and works in an involuntary fast way, so it will
yell but as the System 2 is aware of the possible consequences of yelling, so it
takes control and stops you from making the very big mistake (here we are not
judging the situation, in some occasions the correct thing to do is to yell,
but this is a simple example). To do it, Systems 2 requires efforts and
concentration.
Another
simpler example could be the situation when you hear a powerful sound, it
probably that unconsciously you turn around, and in order not to, you should
make a conscious effort.
The same
when you go to a restaurant an there is an exotic couple in the next table and
you try to avoid staring.
THE LOW EFFORT RULE
As we said
in the previous paragraph, each system is more accurate in certain situations. Kahneman propose
a rule of choice: our brain will follow the lowest effort way.
Daniel
Kahneman investigated the use of mental energy that involved both process
(Systems 1 and 2). He reached to the conclusion that System 2 requires much
more energy and effort. That could explain why when is possible our brain chose
the System 1 as it works in a faster, effortless way, and usually predict very
accurate in easy situations. But not always it is the best choice, and as we
saw in the previous examples when it was necessary, it tells System 2 to take
charge in the decision making.
I hope you
like this approach to Kahneman’s Systems and hope these one become new tools
that help you analyze people behavior.