More about the dual process theory of reasoning

Intelligence and the Cognitive Unconscious. Scott Barry Kaufman

http://www.scottbarrykaufman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Kaufman-2011.pdf

This is an interesting chapter written by Scott Barry Kaufman about the dual process theory of reasoning.  Kaufman is one of the developers of this theory.  The theory is thought provoking and is relevant to what we  psychologists do and don't assess when we assess children.

The theory is based upon a distinction between two kinds of processes or systems.  In the table below I gathered features of both systems.  The information in the table gives us a preliminary picture about the nature of these systems:

System/process 2/B	System/process 1/A
Slow information processing	Fast  information processing
Can de-contextualize task representations and generalize from the specific context	Influenced by context
Abstract reasoning and meta-reasoning (the ability to reason about reason)	Concrete
A system that is evolutionarily new, and is found only in humans.	Influenced by biology.  A system that is found in animals as well.  A system that is evolutionarily old.
Uses information to change behavior and plan for the future.	Influenced by past experience.
	Helps to integrate new stimuli and knowledge into existing knowledge structures.
Activated when reasoning in the existing routes is not sufficient, and new reasoning is required.  Can inhibit system 1.  Includes executive functions (changing behavior according to feedback, cognitive inhibition and mental flexibility).	The default mode of reasoning – thinking in existing structures and routes.
Limited by working memory capacity and by processing speed.  Requires effort and attention.	Not limited by working memory capacity and by processing speed.  Does not require effort or attention.
Correlated with g.  individual differences in system 2 are related to individual differences in g.	Not correlated with g.
More affected by aging than system 1.
Reasonable.  Activated when intuition contradicts reason.	Intuitive
Controlled	Spontaneous
Conscious	Unconscious (can also be conscious, like when daydreaming).
Rule based	Associative
One central process	A set of autonomic systems that are partly innate and partly acquired through practice.  Is related to specific modules of information processing, like three dimensional processing, syntax processing, phonological processing and theory of mind.
Explicit	Implicit

The model assumes that the two processes are working  together harmoniously and in constant interaction, although they sometimes compete.  Both kinds of processes are conducive to intelligent behavior.  Different strategies along the continuum between pure intuition and a cold rational analysis will be applied in different decision making circumstances. The dual process theory does not place any of the two systems as more important than the other.  What's important is the ability to flexibly move between cognition modes according to task demands.

Controlled processes can rely on automatic processes, for example selective attention processes.  Controlled processes can inhibit automatic processes, when it's needed.  Automatic processes supply content to controlled processes.

It is argued, that decisions about relatively simple matters (like choosing which question to answer on a test based on one's knowledge) are made better with process 2 reasoning.  Decisions about relatively complex matters (like where to live, whom to marry, which career to choose, and also dealing with everyday social situations) are better made with process 1 reasoning.

Experts acquire knowledge that enables them to make fast, intuitive and efficient decisions (system 1), while beginners in the same field rely more on effortful reasoning (system 2).

There are individual differences in the ability and the tendency to engage in system 1 or system 2 reasoning.  Since cognitive abilities are not static but change through the life course, the more a person engages in a specific mode of thought, the better he will be in this mode of thought, and the more he will want to engage in it. 

Creativity and latent inhibition – in daily life it is important to distinguish automatically between stimuli that are relevant or irrelevant to the task at hand, and to filter out irrelevant information.  This is latent inhibition.  Apparently, people who have lowered latent inhibition have a higher chance of seeing and creating connections that others don't see.  This ability, combined with a high g, can lead to creative achievement.  As far as I understand, we are talking here about a lowered ability of system 2 to inhibit system 1.

The creative process begins with conscious thinking about a problem, and then unconscious work, and later, if there is insight, another phase of conscious work.  The creative process involves both systems.