Me:
System 2 retains control of consciousness, while System 1 can operate without it. System 1 retains control of the 'loci of decision making', the decision-making 'gavel'. When system 1 sees something in its limited buffer and with its limited sense of the 'infinite' thinks that it may need to control decision making, its will take control of the loci of decision making. As soon as that stimulating sensation is no longer in its buffer, system 1 feels safe to release the loci of decision making to System 2.
System 1 will 'release' decision making controls when it feels safe, but it can also 'give' control over to system 2 when its buffers are clear of any certain threats.
However, system 1 is always alert to certain danger or reward, its also sensitive to a new stimulus indicates that the potential for a new threat or reward has gone from zero to greater than zero. This is known as the Probability Effect and System 1 will pay attention to these new items until it runs out of buffer space.
Because short term memory is limited, system 1 only has 'room' to prioritize uncertainties that are very close to becoming 100% (The Certainty Effect) or that just transitioned from 0% to greater than 0% (The Probability Effect).
&GPT:
Your description effectively encapsulates how System 1 and System 2 interact and manage decision-making processes, particularly in the context of threat assessment, uncertainty, and the allocation of cognitive resources. Let's delve into these concepts:
Control of Consciousness and Decision-Making:
System 2 and Consciousness:
System 2 retains control of consciousness, engaging in deliberate, effortful, and conscious thought processes. It's responsible for tasks that require attention, reasoning, and complex decision-making.
System 1's Automatic Operation:
System 1 operates automatically and can make decisions without conscious awareness. It's always active, processing sensory input and making rapid assessments based on heuristics.
Loci of Decision-Making:
System 1's Control in Immediate Situations:
When System 1 perceives something within its limited buffer that might require immediate action (e.g., potential threats or rewards), it can quickly take control of the decision-making process. This is crucial for survival, allowing for rapid responses to danger or opportunity.
Transfer of Control:
As soon as the immediate stimulus is no longer present or deemed a threat, System 1 can release control back to System 2, allowing for more in-depth analysis and consideration.
System 1 can also actively transfer control to System 2 when it determines that there are no immediate threats or rewards to process.
The Probability Effect and The Certainty Effect:
System 1's Sensitivity to New Stimuli (Probability Effect):
System 1 is highly sensitive to new stimuli, especially when the probability of a threat or reward shifts from zero to anything greater. This heightened awareness to potential new threats or opportunities is what you're referring to as the Probability Effect. System 1 pays attention to these new items, evaluating whether they pose a risk or offer a benefit, and remains alert until it either runs out of 'buffer space' or determines the stimuli to be non-threatening.
Prioritizing Near-Certain Outcomes (Certainty Effect):
Alongside new stimuli, System 1 also prioritizes situations or outcomes that are very close to certain. This is known as the Certainty Effect. In such cases, because the outcome is almost guaranteed, System 1 dedicates resources to responding to these high-probability events, either to capitalize on a sure opportunity or to avoid a near-certain threat.
Implications of These Dynamics:
Efficient Cognitive Processing:
These mechanisms allow for efficient cognitive processing. System 1 quickly handles routine, high-probability, or immediately pressing matters, freeing up System 2 for more complex, novel, or uncertain tasks that require deeper thought.
Collaboration Between Systems:
The interaction between System 1 and System 2 is a continuous and dynamic process. While System 1 can rapidly respond to certain stimuli, it collaborates with System 2, which can reassess and reevaluate decisions in a more reflective manner.
Adaptive Cognitive Strategy:
This division of labor between System 1 and System 2 is an adaptive strategy. It allows humans to respond swiftly to immediate dangers or opportunities (via System 1) while also enabling them to plan, reason, and learn from past experiences (via System 2).
In summary, System 1 and System 2 work together in a complementary fashion, with System 1 handling immediate, high-probability, or new stimuli, and System 2 taking over for more complex, uncertain, or novel situations. This division of cognitive labor is crucial for efficient decision-making and survival in a complex and dynamic environment.
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