Psychology of Actions: The System 1 and System 2 Thinking
Understanding the dual nature of human thought
This is the foundational article on which my future works would be based. It’s an introduction to the two Systems of Thinking (System 1 and System 2) popularized by Daniel Kahneman in his book “Thinking, Fast and Slow.”
Related Articles
Psychology of Actions: Introduction (The background for this newsletter)
Psychology of Actions: Overview (The overview of topics that I cover in this “Psychology of Actions” series)
What’s covered in this article:
Let’s dive in.
The Core Idea
From the moment you wake up, your brain kicks into high gear. You start making decisions, like what to eat, what to wear, and which route to take to the office. These sure may seem like trivial matters. But in total, your brain makes roughly 35000 decisions every single day.
Now, most of these decisions are on autopilot. They happen automatically and simultaneously. And they happen because of the information we have stored subconsciously about what we think is "good" and what we feel is "bad." It's our "System 1 Thinking" in action.
But at times in the day, we come across somewhat tough decisions. Like deciding whether to buy something you want but don't necessarily need. These are the ones that need us to think through consciously. And it's our "System 2 Thinking" that we rely on in those moments.
System 2 is the System we identify with. When we think of ourselves, we think of ourselves as rational, logical, and reason-driven individuals. These all are traits associated with System 2. But, System 1 is the real driver of this dynamic interplay.
Overview of System 1 and System 2
System 1 is our brain's fast, automatic, and effortless mode of thinking. It largely operates outside of our conscious awareness. System 1 thinking is intuitive and relies on instincts and experiences we've built over time. This system is responsible for everyday tasks like:
reading this sentence
recognizing familiar faces
understanding what you are hearing
completing the phrase “hook, line, and …”
Connecting the smell of food to hunger.
calculating 1+1 = ?
Seeing red & thinking of stop sign.
System 1 is highly efficient. And because of this, System 1 processes information quickly without requiring any deliberate thought. It also allows us to respond instantly and immediately to events or threat emerging in our environment such as
Catching a falling object: If you knock a glass off the counter, System 1 instinctively makes you reach out to catch it before it hits the ground.
Dodging a car: When a car suddenly swerves toward you, System 1 helps you jump out of the way without stopping to analyze the situation.
Pulling your hand away from heat: Touching a hot pot or pan activates System 1 instantly, causing you to pull your hand back before even consciously realizing the thing you were touching was hot.
Although System 1 is great for speed, it also makes us prone to biases and errors. This quick-thinking mode relies heavily on mental shortcuts or heuristics. So it leads to decisions that are not adequately rational.
One further limitation of System 1 is that it cannot be turned off.
~ Daniel Kahneman, Thinking Fast and Slow
Relying solely on System 1 cause us to overlook critical details, especially when faced with complex problems. That’s where System 2 comes in to help us reason through.
Note: This image is just for illustration. There are no definite areas within the brain that are exclusively designated for either System 1 or System 2 Thinking.
When System 1 runs into difficulty, it calls on System 2 to support more detailed and specific processing that may solve the problem of the moment.
~ Daniel Kahneman, Thinking Fast and Slow
System 2 is the brain’s slower, more deliberate mode of thinking. Unlike the quick, automatic nature of System 1, System 2 engages when we need to solve complex problems, make thoughtful decisions, or analyze new information. It’s responsible for activities that require conscious effort, such as:
Engaging in Strategic Planning.
Solving 1024 X 536 = ?
Exercising Self-Control.
Deciding on a house to buy.
Understanding dense or complex written material.
Scrutinize a complex logical argument.
To overcome the mental shortcuts (heuristics) that System 1 uses, System 2 process information carefully. So, System 2 needs more cognitive resources. As it turns out, avoiding biases and errors arising from quick judgments comes with the cost of increased cognitive load.
The Interplay between System 1 and System 2
System 1 and System 2 constantly interact and influence each other in fascinating ways. When a situation arises in which we engage our System 2, it acts like the thoughtful overseer, stepping in to analyze situations more carefully and questioning the automatic responses of System 1 when needed.
For instance, imagine you’re about to buy something on impulse because it’s on sale—System 1 is driving your decision here. But if you pause for a second, System 2 might jump in and help you think it through: "Do I really need this? Is it actually a good deal?" By slowing down, System 2 helps avoid impulsive decisions.
System 1 continuously generates suggestions for System 2: impressions, intuitions, intentions, and feelings. If endorsed by System 2, impressions and intuitions turn into beliefs, and impulses turn into voluntary actions.
~ Daniel Kahneman, Thinking, Fast and Slow
Interestingly, the more System 2 engages in thoughtful decision-making, the better System 1 gets at recognizing patterns. Over time, things like driving, cooking, or playing an instrument shift from requiring a lot of conscious thought to being handled automatically by System 1.
However, when System 2 is overloaded, tired, or distracted, it defaults to System 1’s quicker, easier judgments. In such cases, biases can creep in, leading to snap decisions. That’s why you are more prone to grab fast food after a tiring and exhausting day in the office.
This fascinating interplay plays out throughout the day inside of our brains.
What’s Next?
In future articles, I will explore the framework to recognize which among System 1 and System 2 is in play. Secondly, I’ll explore the application of the FoRC framework to System 1 thinking. I will also explain why it doesn’t make sense to apply the FoRC Framework to System 2.
Concluding Thoughts
Understanding the distinction between System 1 and System 2 thinking sheds light on how we navigate the complexities of decision-making in our everyday lives.
This understanding sets the foundation for more mindful, deliberate actions in both personal and professional contexts.
That’s all for this week. Subscribe now and join me on this fascinating journey of intentional change.
Stay genuine! Stay authentic!
Nik Pathran
PS: I appreciate you reading. Thanks to the new subscribers!