Whilst we all like to think we make rational, optimal decisions, sometimes, our impulses get the better of us.

In an attempt to preserve our cognitive capacity, we make what’s called fast, reactionary “System 1” judgements. 



These might not be very good at all for us.

Let me explain.

Consider you’re stressed out after a long day, and launch your favourite social media app to unwind. You see someone sharing a wild conspiracy theory that you know to be untrue.

You’re angry, and quickly write out a frustrated comment that criticises this person, using strong language that would offend.

At this point, hitting “send” would cause a lot of damage you can’t come back from.

This is where our slower “System 2” thinking becomes vital.

Here, reflective thought is the order of the day. It’s more cognitively-expensive to think about what the deeper implications of hitting “send” would be. However, now would be a good time to do so.

Social media apps are increasingly providing us opportunities to do just this. Banks could do the same. “Are you sure you want to withdraw all your savings?”

Providing users a “cooling off period” for impactful moments now can allow for better decisions that help us more in our future.

Whilst we all like to think we make rational, optimal decisions, sometimes, our impulses get the better of us.

In an attempt to preserve our cognitive capacity, we make what’s called fast, reactionary “System 1” judgements. 



These might not be very good at all for us.

Let me explain.

Consider you’re stressed out after a long day, and launch your favourite social media app to unwind. You see someone sharing a wild conspiracy theory that you know to be untrue.

You’re angry, and quickly write out a frustrated comment that criticises this person, using strong language that would offend.

At this point, hitting “send” would cause a lot of damage you can’t come back from.

This is where our slower “System 2” thinking becomes vital.

Here, reflective thought is the order of the day. It’s more cognitively-expensive to think about what the deeper implications of hitting “send” would be. However, now would be a good time to do so.

Social media apps are increasingly providing us opportunities to do just this. Banks could do the same. “Are you sure you want to withdraw all your savings?”

Providing users a “cooling off period” for impactful moments now can allow for better decisions that help us more in our future.

2,064 male students from 9 schools in Chicago were enrolled in a two-year-long program that encouraged system-two slow thinking on how to manage situations of conflict.

Participation in the program reduced total arrests by 35% and violent crime arrests by 50%.

Add a little friction. ‍

We constantly weigh up effort vs rewards, so seeing one long sign-up form can lead us to make a fast system-one decision not to do so.

A process that’s Chunked, features reflective Goal Primes and clearly shows the product benefits will work better. 

Provide warnings for damaging decisions.

Instagram have launched "comment warning", live-analysing a comment and notifying of potential offense, without removing the Autonomy to post. This allows for reflection and avoids Reactance.

Build in reflective periods for big decisions.

Knee-jerk, short-term decisions can harm our longer-term goals. E.g., financial firms can help us make smarter decisions about withdrawing all our savings by building in a reflective delay, especially when such decisions conflict with our prior Commitments and goals.

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