Chapter 1 : Reasoning Flashcards
System 1
- more primitive group of processes shared by non-human animals
- operate beneath our awareness, on an intuitive level
- characterized by quick reactions to sensory inputs
- help us interpret our surroundings and make “snap judgements”
System 2
- slow, deliberate cognitive process
- can be controlled and are transparent to introspection
- explanations and reflections
- helps us justify, flesh out, and question our snap judgements
Differences Between System 1 & System 2
direct control, transparency, effort
Direct Control?
- We have no direct control over System 1 processes
- We can control, turn on and off System 2 processes
Transparency?
- System 1 processes are not transparent
- System 2 processes are transparent, i.e. open to consciousness inspection
Effort?
- System 1 processes require little to no effort (quick, efficient)
- System 2 processes demand effort (slow, deliberate, mentally taxing)
Clarifications
- System 1 & 2 are not separate units of the mind
- they are different processes that overlap and combine
Systems in Conflict
- System 2 can recognize the faults in System 1
- cognitive illusions
- evolutionary mismatch
Cognitive Illusions
an involuntary error in our thinking due to System 1 which continues to seem correct, even if we consciously realize t’s not
Evolutionary Mismatch
an evolved trait stops being useful due to a new environment
Metaphor
- think of System 1 & 2 as an elephant and rider
- elephant: System 1
- rider: System 2
- elephant has to be guided and trained and can’t be forced to behave
Cognitive Pitfalls
- common, predictable errors in human reasoning
- include mental glitches and logical fallacies
Shortcuts
- System 1 offers quick but sometimes unreliable answers
- Problem can be corrected through cognitive reflection; the habit of checking (System 2) initial impressions of supplied by System 1
Heuristic
a shortcut used to bypass effortful thinking
Cognitive Reflection
The habit of checking initial impressions supplied by System 1, and overriding them when appropriate
Availability Heuristic
judging probability of outcomes based on examples from memory
Belief Perseverance
holding onto beliefs in the face of contradicting evidence
Confirmation Bias
noticing/focusing on evidence that confirms pre-existing views and neglecting/discounting contrary evidence
Evidence Primary Effect
give early information more evidential weight than later information
Motivated Reasoning
forming/maintaining a belief because (at some level) we want it to be true
