Our brain operates using two different systems of thinking: System 1 and System 2.
System 1 is our automatic system; quick to process information and requiring very little mental effort. This system is primarily unconscious and kicks in without us having to be fully aware of its existence. For example, if I were to ask you what ‘1+1’ equalled you would give me the answer very quickly. That’s because it is snapped straight up from your memory by System 1 and does not require any mental effort on your part.
System 2 on the other hand is more rational and conscious. It takes over when our thinking requires focus and deliberation and is generally a slower process than System 1; it is retained for solving complex problems. Going back to the previous example, If I were to now ask you what “36 + 97” equalled, you probably wouldn’t be able to give me the answer immediately. This is because System 2 must take over and use its calculating and analytical nature to solve the problem.
These 2 concepts might make more sense in another context.
Let’s say that System 1 and System 2 are represented by the popular characters Wallace and Gromit, from the animated series created by Aardman Animations. Wallace is a kind-hearted inventor and passionate lover of Wensleydale cheese. He is sometimes selfish without meaning to be and often acts on impulsive decisions without much thought. Wallace is our System 1. He is the boss; the guy in charge and so he makes most of the decisions. Gromit on the other hand is a little more intelligent with his decision-making. He likes to think things through and often warns Wallace if he is about to make a bad decision. Gromit enjoys playing chess and all other things intellectual. Gromit is our System 2. It’s not that Wallace isn’t clever; in fact he is often very efficient and skilled. But it is Gromit who steps in when thoughtful and more logical decisions need to be made.
And we know from our experiences of watching Wallace and Gromit, that although Wallace is in charge, he often makes mistakes...
A method of demonstrating this is with this following problem:
A bat and a ball cost £1.10 in total. The bat costs £1 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?
When faced with this problem your Wallace (System 1) jumps up to answer. Your first response might be to say the ball costs £0.10p. However, if we force ourselves to bring up our Gromit (System 2), the rational system, we can decode the problem and successfully get the answer £0.05p.
"how many decisions do you remember taking?"
You probably think that Gromit is the dominant system in your head, but research shows that the majority of your daily decisions are made by Wallace. Yes, dear old unreliable Wallace - the one that misreads events and comes to the wrong conclusions, some of the time. Just like that mathematical question above.
If you think you are any different, and then look back at everything that has happened to you today; just how many decisions do you remember taking? If you drove, do you remember changing gear? When, exactly, did you last think about keeping your balance when you walk? If you have just talked to someone you are not familiar with, do you remember the banal pleasantries, or just key items you had to think about? Yes, you have a Wallace, just like everyone else. The trick is to be able to fully understand and manipulate the power of our Wallace to our own advantage.
In the next nudgeUP blog, we will explore what techniques can be put into place for us to successfully rely on our Wallace.
Be sure to catch up on the last blog, here, if you missed it.
Edited by Kathryn Francis, PhD Fellow, MSc Psychological Research, BSc Psychology @kathrynbfrancis
Thank you to Aardman Animations for the inspiration of this blog.
