"Heuristic"

Define System-1 and System-2 thinking in your own words.
Give an example from your personal or work life where you would use each of them, explaining why each is appropriate to the situation in which you use it.
Heuristics
Define "heuristic" in your own words.
Give an example of a heuristic might be used in your personal or professional life and briefly show how it could have a positive or negative effect.
Do not use examples found in the text.

Full Answer Section

     

Example:

  • System-1: You're making breakfast and reach for the familiar orange juice without thinking about other options. (Fast, automatic)
  • System-2: You're planning a vacation and compare flight prices, itineraries, and destinations before booking. (Slower, deliberate)

Heuristics: Mental Shortcuts

Heuristics are like rules of thumb that help System-1 make decisions quickly. They're based on past experiences and general knowledge.

Example:

  • Heuristic: You see a dark alley at night and avoid it because you associate darkness with danger. (Positive: Keeps you safe)
  • Downside: This heuristic might make you miss out on a great shortcut or judge someone unfairly based on their appearance.

While heuristics are helpful for navigating daily life, they can sometimes lead to biases if not used cautiously.

Sample Answer

   

System-1 vs. System-2 Thinking

Imagine your brain has two gears:

  • System-1: This is the fast, automatic gear. It's all about intuition, gut feelings, and snap judgments. It's great for quick decisions and routine tasks.
  • System-2: This is the slower, more deliberate gear. It's where you reason things out, analyze information, and solve problems logically