Thinking Fast and Slow: Two Systems of Thought

 by Sam Bradshaw

In his book "Thinking Fast and Slow," Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman explores the two systems of thinking that govern human decision making: System 1 and System 2. According to Kahneman, System 1 is the fast, automatic, and intuitive thinking that occurs without conscious effort, while System 2 is the slower, deliberate, and effortful thinking that requires attention and focus. These two systems have different characteristics and play different roles in our decision making, and understanding them is crucial for understanding how we think and make choices.

System 1 thinking is the most basic and fundamental type of thinking. It is fast, automatic, and intuitive, and it is responsible for most of our everyday decisions. System 1 thinking is based on heuristics, or mental shortcuts, that allow us to make quick judgments and decisions based on limited information. For example, when we see a familiar face, we immediately recognize it as someone we know, even if we can't recall their name. This is an example of System 1 thinking in action. 

System 1 thinking is also responsible for our emotional reactions, which can influence our decisions in powerful ways. For example, when we see a cute puppy, we might feel an immediate sense of warmth and affection, which could lead us to make a decision to adopt the puppy. Similarly, when we see a snake, we might feel a sense of fear and aversion, which could lead us to avoid the snake. This is interesting as it offered me an insight into how I prejudge people due to appearance and reputation and how that can affect my opinion of them before I have even gotten to know them. This idea made me very aware of this fact and that I should be as non judgemental as possible especially when first interacting with new people.

Despite the speed and efficiency of System 1 thinking, it is not always accurate or reliable. System 1 thinking is susceptible to biases and errors, such as the availability heuristic, which leads us to overestimate the likelihood of rare events, and the confirmation bias, which leads us to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs and ignore information that contradicts them. Khaman’s ideas around System 1 offered valuable insight into how some of my own opinions were formed, for example my political views, at a young age I adopted a similar view to my parents as they had great influence over me, however due to confirmation bias I ended up ignoring any signs that these views did not align with my own values and instead only focusing on the signs that confirmed my beliefs to be true. I think this also plays into a key concept in economics which is the irrationality of human behaviour which can often be shaped by biases such as confirmation bias.

System 2 thinking is the slower, more deliberate, and more effortful type of thinking. It is responsible for more complex and abstract tasks, such as problem-solving, reasoning, and decision-making. System 2 thinking requires attention and focus, and it is often activated when we encounter a new or challenging task. 

One of the key characteristics of System 2 thinking is that it is self-aware and reflective. System 2 thinking allows us to question our own assumptions and biases, and to consider different perspectives and alternatives. This is why System 2 thinking is often described as “thinking about thinking.”

System 2 thinking is also responsible for our ability to control our impulses and emotions. For example, when we see a tempting piece of chocolate cake, System 1 thinking might lead us to feel an immediate urge to eat it, but System 2 thinking allows us to consider the long-term consequences of eating the cake and to make a more rational and considered decision. Although this was clear to me, the separation of the 2 systems at work I found fascinating because it really highlights why I make bad decisions such as eating unhealthy foods despite my best efforts not to. System 2 required active thought whereas System 1 is always working. Therefore if you are not switched on you can find yourself making these decisions almost unconsciously.

Despite the advantages of System 2 thinking, it is not always the best choice for decision-making. System 2 thinking is slow and effortful, and it can be easily depleted by other tasks or distractions. Additionally, System 2 thinking can lead to overthinking and analysis paralysis, which can prevent us from making a decision at all. I find this to be especially true during sports when thinking too much always leads to worse results than just trusting my intuition and thinking less and acting more.

In conclusion, "Thinking Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman is a fascinating exploration of the two systems of thinking that govern human decision making: System 1 and System 2. System 1 is the fast, automatic, and intuitive thinking that occurs without conscious effort, while System 2 is the slower, deliberate, and effortful thinking that requires attention and focus. Understanding the characteristics and roles of these two systems is crucial for understanding how we think and make choices. While System 1 thinking is fast and efficient, it is also susceptible to biases and errors, while System 2 thinking is more accurate and reflective, but it can also lead to overthinking and analysis paralysis. Ultimately, I believe that the key to successful decision-making is to strike a balance between the two systems, utilising the strengths of each while being aware of their limitations. By recognizing when and how to use System 1 and System 2 thinking, we can make better decisions and avoid common pitfalls. It is also important to be aware of our own biases and to make an effort to question our assumptions and perspectives. By doing so, we can improve our ability to think critically and make more informed and rational decisions. Overall, "Thinking Fast and Slow" offers valuable insights into the psychology of decision-making and provides a framework for understanding how we think and make choices.