Abstract
A major challenge for Dual Process Theories of reasoning is to predict the circumstances under which intuitive answers reached
on the basis of Type 1 processing are kept or discarded in favour of analytic, Type 2 processing (Thompson 2009). We propose that a key determinant of the probability that Type 2 processes intervene is the affective response that accompanies
Type 1 processing. This affective response arises from the fluency with which the initial answer is produced, such that fluently
produced answers give rise to a strong feeling of rightness. This feeling of rightness, in turn, determines the extent and
probability with which Type 2 processes will be engaged. Because many of the intuitions produced by Type 1 processes are fluent,
it is common for them to be accompanied by a strong sense of rightness. However, because fluency is poorly calibrated to objective
difficulty, confidently held intuitions may form the basis of poor quality decisions.
on the basis of Type 1 processing are kept or discarded in favour of analytic, Type 2 processing (Thompson 2009). We propose that a key determinant of the probability that Type 2 processes intervene is the affective response that accompanies
Type 1 processing. This affective response arises from the fluency with which the initial answer is produced, such that fluently
produced answers give rise to a strong feeling of rightness. This feeling of rightness, in turn, determines the extent and
probability with which Type 2 processes will be engaged. Because many of the intuitions produced by Type 1 processes are fluent,
it is common for them to be accompanied by a strong sense of rightness. However, because fluency is poorly calibrated to objective
difficulty, confidently held intuitions may form the basis of poor quality decisions.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s11299-012-0100-6
- Authors
- Valerie Thompson, Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, 9 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A5, Canada
- Kinga Morsanyi, School of Psychology, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA UK
- Journal Mind & Society
- Online ISSN 1860-1839
- Print ISSN 1593-7879