Psychology of Actions: System 2 in Contexts and Micro-Contexts
Recalibrating Your Autopilot (System 1) with Intentional Thinking (System 2)
In the previous article, we explored how our brain's autopilot (System 1 Thinking) handles the big picture (Contexts) and fine print (Micro-Contexts)... until it doesn't.
In case you missed it, here's the link for that article:
An intellectual-Cautionary Note :) :- To get a better hang of the ideas explored here, I highly urge you to check out the previous article. Trust me, it's a fun read and sets the foundation for what follows.
So, now, let's dive in. In this article, I spotlight System 2—our deliberate, intentional thinking system—and how it steps in and guides our System 1 thinking when contexts and micro-contexts collide. Buckle up; it's time to learn how to take the reins when your autopilot goes off course!
Introduction
"Huh! Why did I just say that?" you ask yourself.
For context, your usual reserved self had suddenly blurted out something unusually assertive. But what exactly was the situation you ask? Well, it could be one of those scenarios we have all faced. Perhaps you were at work, confidently leading a meeting when you cracked a joke that landed flat. Or maybe you were at an extended family dinner when one of your aunts tried to earn a laugh at your expense, and your scathing retort had everyone with their jaws on the floor.
These are some instances when your brain's autopilot—System 1 thinking—stumbles. Though usually seamless, System 1 occasionally falters while encountering the layered complexity of Contexts and Micro-Contexts. Thankfully, we have our deliberate System 2 thinking to fall back on in such scenarios. System 2 can step in and recalibrate System 1's automatic responses, helping you navigate the nuances and clashes of Contexts and Micro-Contexts with ease.
Recognizing System 1’s Limits
Of course, System 1 is genuinely great in its simplicity. It's fast, intuitive, and thrives on familiarity. But when it faces ambiguity or misaligned cues, it can get stuck.
Recognizing when System 1 thinking is struggling is crucial. System 2 will step in once the struggles of System 1 are recognized not without it. So, here are some common signs:
Discomfort: A nagging sense or a feeling that something about your reaction isn't right. For instance, you might feel uneasy after reacting a little too harshly in a casual family dinner conversation.
Repeated Missteps: There would be patterns of behavior that lead to similar friction across contexts. Frequent clashes with friends, cousins, or family because your professional assertiveness seeps into your social interactions might be one of the signs.
Social Friction: Occasional moments where your response doesn’t align with the expectations of a specific context or micro-context. For example, you might struggle to balance professionalism and casual social behavior when your boss joins an informal team lunch.
But, there is something else to remember. Recognizing these moments isn't about criticizing yourself. It's about noticing opportunities for growth. And this is where System 2 shines. It helps you pause, analyze the situation, and consciously choose a response that bridges the mismatch between contexts and micro-contexts. Let's now explore how we can engage System 2.
Engaging System 2 to Recalibrate Responses
Here's the step-by-step process to engage your System 2 when System 2 falters:
Pause and Reflect: As soon as you notice discomfort or friction in any situation, take a moment to pause. Ask yourself, what just happened? Which part of your response felt off? Which aspect of the interaction made you uneasy?
Identify the Clash: Break down the context and isolate the specific micro-context. What expectations were set by the context and micro-context? How did the response align or feel off with those expected cues?
Question Your Assumptions: System 1 operates on habits and heuristics. (Heuristics are mental shortcuts that your brain creates for quick problem-solving and probability judgments.) Ask yourself if the underlying assumptions regarding the context and micro-context are still correct, or need an update that results in a better response.
Strike a balance: Align your response with your goals and values. For instance, the idea would be to maintain relationships (the goal in this scenario) without compromising your self-respect (self-respect is one of your values). So, your assertiveness tuned to your workplace might need to be dialed down but only to the extent that your self-respect isn't compromised.
Analyze and Prepare: Before similar situations arise where your System 1 falters, analyze the past situation and prepare your responses for future scenarios navigating the same cases differently.
Each time you use System 2 thinking to guide your behavior or responses, you're effectively training System 1. Over time, these deliberate choices become automatic.
But, there is one more thing to be wary of— System 1's emotional resistance to change. Let's tackle it next.
Managing System 1's Emotional Resistance to Change
System 1 is deeply tied to our emotions. Over time, System 1 mental shortcuts develop an emotional inertia alongside. And emotions, while powerful motivators, can resist change.
Why does Emotional Resistance Happen?
At times, System 1's automatic behavior is associated with emotional safety. For instance, your workplace assertiveness might feel empowering, but if you adopt a dialed-down version of your assertiveness at home or in other relations, it might feel a bit jarring early on. It could also feel like a loss of that empowering feeling. No wonder there would be an emotional resistance to the change.
How to Overcome Resistance?
Reframe Fears: Fears are one of the drivers of our emotions. The key here is to view adjustments as growth rather than compromises. For instance, being gentler at home doesn’t mean losing assertiveness—it means gaining emotional flexibility.
Acknowledge Discomfort: By now you know that resistance is natural. You must recognize it as such, but don’t let it derail your progress in the long run.
Start Small: Sudden changes are often intimidating for System 1. So, you can modify the approach by going for gradual shifts. Adjusting the behaviors incrementally builds comfort.
To effectively navigate tricky micro-contexts, it's crucial to overcome the emotional resistance that System 1 sometimes builds up. And once you've managed the emotional hurdles, you're in better shape to take deliberate actions.
Now, let's move on to a few broad practical strategies for navigating the complex maze of Contexts and Micro-Contexts.
Strategies for Navigating Contexts and Micro-Contexts
To navigate the layered complexities of contexts and micro-contexts, you can try these practical strategies:
Create Mental “Context Maps”: If you really want a grip over your contexts and micro-contexts, the first step is to chart out your roles across different contexts. Pro tip would be to refer to them as prep material before you step into one of them, for instance, office context, specific extended family relative relationship context, college or work context, etc. Identify any micro-contexts that might pose a point of conflict or clash with the broader contexts, and plan and strategize on how to deal with those conflicts.
Use your Awareness: Be intensely present and pay attention to the subtle cues in the moment—like tone, body language, emotions & feelings, or timing. This will help you to be aware of the shifting micro-contexts within a broader context.
Set Boundaries: You can clearly define for yourself what behaviors you will or won't adopt in specific contexts. You might have to revisit this conversation with yourself if you still feel that the boundary isn't correctly defined, or you might not have included some specific edge cases.
Remember, these are some broad strategies and not hard guidelines. They are pointers to what targetted, drilled-down versions you can potentially come up with.
System 2’s Long-Term Role in Shaping System 1
Each time System 2 steps in, it’s like rewriting the script for System 1. Repeat this process enough times, and System 1 adopts the new patterns, allowing you to navigate contexts and micro-contexts effortlessly.
But, there's obviously a catch. This isn’t an overnight process. It requires patience, practice, and a willingness to embrace discomfort along the way.
Conclusion: Intentional Navigation Across Contexts
System 1 is truly remarkable. It keeps us functional and adaptable across most contexts. But, sometimes, when it falters, System 2 offers a lifeline. Together, System 1 and System 2 form a dynamic duo capable of navigating even the most nuanced micro-contexts.
So, the next time you feel that friction—that subtle hesitation or irritation—pause and reflect. Let System 2 step in. With time, practice, and intentional recalibration, you can guide System 1 to thrive across contexts and micro-contexts seamlessly and confidently.
What's next?
Next week, we will resume the focus on Identity. The article that follows next in the series of articles on Identity would be "How to Recognize That Your Identity Needs an Upgrade?"
You can check out the full articles list segregated based on the topics I have covered here:
That’s all for this week. Subscribe now and join me on this fascinating journey of intentional change.
Stay intentional! Stay adaptable!
Nik Pathran
PS: I appreciate you reading. Thanks to the new subscribers!