Overview

Researchers have identified two different modes of decision making which they label system 1 and system 2

• System 1 : fast and mostly subconscious thinking
• System 2 : slower deliberative and conscious

System 1/2 and Computer Science

One way to view these results are through the lense of computer science. When designing a system that must make decisions, (a self driving car for example), one must be aware of the resources available to make the decision. That is, the computer may have limited time to make a decision, or may have limited memory or other computing resources. In these circumstances, it may be required to build a program that is less accurate, but can make a decision within the constraints given.

Humans are like this too. System 2 is slow and uses lots of energy. In situations where the decision is required to be made fast, or the decision does not justify dedicating a lot of brain focus too, the brain may offload that decision to its system 1 process.