When System 1 struggles, it asks for help from System 2. By following (learned) procedures and rules, you solve a problem with this system. You can also use System 2 to identify the differences between options, allowing you to make better choices. As a result, you can still solve complex questions.
For example, you use System 2 in the following situations:
1
Focusing on a specific voice in a busy environment
2
Parking in a small parking lot
3
Walking faster than you normally do
What the actions of System 2 have in common is that they take effort. Without focus, the task at hand can become very difficult to perform. This focus also causes you to close yourself off to your surroundings.
For most activities, both big and small, that you undertake, System 1 is in charge. You may feel that System 2 dominates your decisions, but System 1 is often in control. Psychologist Daniel Kahneman used a great metaphor in his book on the two systems, 'Thinking, Fast and Slow':
In the unlikely event of this book being made into a film, System 2 would be a supporting character who believes herself to be the hero.
System 2 comes into play only when an event is unsolvable for System 1. For example, to accomplish the task from the video, counting how many times the players in white passed the ball, it was necessary to engage System 2. This did have the consequence that there was no energy left for System 1 to recognize the gorilla.
Because of this, System 2 is lazy. It really doesn't want to take action if it doesn't have to. This allows System 1 to use the available energy quickly and efficiently. This laziness of System 2 is deeply built into us: it takes effort to activate System 2. But when System 2 becomes active, it also basically controls your response. In this process, System 2 still relies on System 1, as it often takes over ideas and feelings.
The laziness of System 2 visualized. What would you like to do?
We can give System 2, like System 1, a 'personality'. This collection of characteristics, shown in the table below, will give you a better idea of which actions belong to System 2.
Acts slowly, deliberately and infrequently.
Uses a lot of energy and has limited capacity
Author of the thoughts we have.
Intervenes when System 1 cannot solve the problem.
Follows rules and procedures.
Can make choices between different options.
Is careful and thoughtful.
Can reason, plan and make complex calculations.
Often takes suggestions from System 1 in the search for information and arguments.
Can resist suggestions from System 1 by slowing down and making analyses
You have been introduced to System 1 and 2. Now you know in broad terms how these systems function and affect your life. However, this is the theory: how does it work in practice?
Take the following short quiz. Try to answer the answers as quickly as possible. Afterwards, read the explanation below the quiz.
For each question, enter a number as the answer. So for example, 5 and not 'five'.
You've seen that you need both System 1 and System 2 to solve problems. Practice shows that this does not always go well. It can cause a wrong answer in a math exercise, but can also lead to biases. But how exactly are these biases created?
Find out in the next chapter how the cooperation of System 1 and 2 leads to biases.
Well, it was to be expected that this song would not provide much motivation for System 2 to take action.
Factually correct, System 2 is indeed indicated very blue in this image. System 2 is of course also a fan of structure. However, no effect on the activation of System 2.
At least this song produces enough sound. However, no effect on System 2 yet. Perhaps your System 1 has turned it off already. Let's move on with this chapter.
