Effortless and Effortful (Mudah dan Berusaha)
It took me a while to get into this book, Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, a mix of science, psychology and interpretation of stories.[1] I must admit that I did not completely get through the book, I felt rushed – I definitely want to read it slowly again. This is a fascinating book that unwraps the world of human cognition and decision-making through the concept of two thinking systems:
System 1: Fast, intuitive, and emotional.
- Effortless (automatic)
System 2: Slower, more deliberative, and logical.
- Effortful (demands mental ability for attention) [2]
The book uncovers how these two systems shape our judgments, influence decision-making, and impact various aspects of our lives. Kahneman discusses topics such as overconfidence, cognitive biases, and the challenges of predicting future happiness. He provides practical insights to help readers make better choices and guard against mental glitches.
In my own life both System 1 and System 2 play a big part as to how I manage everything around me and how I behave towards people daily. This book is useful for an ordinary person like me to manage my decisions, to have a sense of self-awareness and the outcomes. Pretty awesome! Reflecting my own behavior, both thinking systems have shaped my life and they will continue to shape me.
System 2:
When my husband (then boyfriend) extended an invitation for me to move to the United States with him, it became a profound decision. I engaged in prayer and meticulously weighed the pros and cons. Leaving behind my family, job, friends, ministry, and the familiar island where I grew up—all of it required thoughtful consideration. Surprisingly, the weather did not sway me much (I happen to love Oregon’s climate). However, there were legal aspects to address, including immigration paperwork and my first introduction to his family and their background.
Driven by love, I embarked on a journey. Before committing fully, I visited my husband’s family and friends to gauge the environment. Despite the warmth of summer, it was still chilly. Then, during a flight, I noticed a dime inscribed with the words “In God We Trust.” It felt like a sign—a moment of clarity. That was when I resolved to accept my husband’s invitation and move to Oregon. It had been a year of deliberation, and as Daniel Kahneman describes, this decision required the effortful thinking of System 2.[3]
From System 2, my experience transitioned to System 1.
System 1:
Upon our returned from United States, my husband proposed to me. Effortless! I said yes… As described by Kahneman, system 2 thinking requires effortful thinking, but system 1 thinking is fast, intuitive, and emotional (effortless). It was a joyful moment for me and my family. It was predictable as knew my husband was going to propose.
My experiences above involved both System 1 and System 2 thinking to make the decision to get married to a foreigner and move to the United States. In my scenario, these 2 systems are inter-related when making major decisions.
Another fascinating topic, the topic about overconfidence interests me to look deeper into Kahneman, how does overconfidence affect our judgement? In an interview Kahneman explains.[4] Overconfidence blinds us to our limitations, distorts our judgment, and influences our choices.[5]
- The illusion of certainty: Overconfidence leads us to believe that our opinions, projections, and assessments are more accurate than they truly are. “We tend to be overly confident in our abilities to predict outcomes, even when faced with uncertainty.”
- Optimistic bias: We often underestimate risks and overestimate positive outcomes. “For instance, governments may believe that wars will be swiftly won or that capital projects will stay within budget, despite statistical evidence suggesting otherwise.”
- False sense of control: Overconfidence fosters a false sense of control over events. “People may think they have more influence over outcomes than they actually do. This can lead to poor decisions and unexpected consequences.
- Investment decisions: “Investors exhibit overconfidence by believing they can consistently beat the market. This bias can lead to risky investments and financial losses.”
- Planning fallacy: Overconfidence affects our ability to estimate project completion times. “We tend to be overly optimistic about how quickly tasks can be accomplished, leading to delays and frustration.”
- Confirmation bias: Overconfident individuals seek information that confirms their existing beliefs. “They ignore or downplay evidence that contradicts their views, reinforcing their overconfidence.”
- Implications: Overconfidence can hinder learning and growth. “Recognizing this bias is crucial for making better decisions and avoiding costly mistakes.”
This book is rich with fascinating concepts, but I was having a hard time transitioning my understanding from Experienced utility and Decision Utility, to Experience and Memory and to Self. To sum it up, Kahneman’s exploration of utility, memory, and the self provides profound insights into human behavior. By understanding these concepts, I gained tools to enhance decision making and self-awareness.
[1] Daniel Kahneman, Thinking Fast and Slow (New Delhi: Penguin Random House, 2011).
[2] Kahneman. 20.
[3] Kahneman. 20.
[4] Daniel Kahneman, “What would I Eliminate if I Had a Magic Wand? Overconfidence.” Interview by David Shariatmadari, The Guardian, July 18, 2015, https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/Jul/18/daniel-kahneman/.
[5] Kahneman. 199-201.
About the Author
Shela Sullivan
Born and raised on the vibrant Penang Island in Malaysia. "Mari Makan!!" — a cherished Malaysian greeting that reflects the warmth of shared meals. Since 1996, I have called Oregon, United States, my home. I enjoy the raindrops and the serenity of its beaches. The ocean connects me to nature and energizes me. I hold Bachelor's in Business & Marketing from University of Phoenix, Master's in Spiritual Formation from George Fox University and Congressional Leadership (Lay Pastoral) Certificate from Dubuque Theological Seminary. I work as a Category Manager for a power utility company and serve as an ordained Presbyterian Traveling Pastor. My aspirational career goal is to become an inspirational speaker. I reside with my husband, David Sullivan, and our fur-baby, Rolo. Our shared passions include traveling, exploring diverse cuisines, home improvements and classic cars. Favorite Bible Verse: Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. ~ Psalm 37:4 ~14 responses to “Effortless and Effortful (Mudah dan Berusaha)”
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Hi Shela, I appreciated reading your post. It took a bit for me to digest parts of it as well. You mentioned gaining tools to help with decision making. Did any of the tools mentioned in the book stand out to you as particularly useful?
Hi Diane,
Thank you for reading my post. I believe I have been making decisions based on Heuristics decision-making process. I identify with making judgments or decisions by using mental shortcuts or “rules of thumb” that simplify complex problems. By reading Kahneman’s book I also realized how Heuristics decision-making concept can be biased driven. Something need to be aware of.
Shela,
There was a lot of System 2 thinking to do when you got married. I’m glad that you were able to navigate all of it. Based on what you were able to read, is there a System 1 thinking process that you more easily fall into? I probably engage in more heuristic thinking than I should.
Hi Jeff, thank you for reading my post. When it comes to major decisions, System 2 thinking takes the role in my decision making (marrying a foreigner, moving to the U.S., being in this doctoral program, career changes), while I find System 1 pertains to less complex decisions.
Shela,
I love that you found a dime and that was what you needed to make a decision. Sometimes, we simply need a small token of some sort to help push us over the edge. I thought that it was interesting when Kahneman described those who had found a dime generally gauged themselves as happier people in one of his surveys. Do you tend to make more decisions based on system 1 or on system 2?
Hi Adam, thank you for reading my post.
I tend to make decisions based on both system 1 and 2, depending on the subject matter, (example buying a new refrigerator verse repairing the existing one as it involves financial decision). I also identify with Heuristics decision-making process – making judgments or decisions by using mental shortcuts or “rules of thumb” that simplify complex problems.
Shela,
I love how you broke down System 1 + 2 thinking in short sentences that made it easy for the reader to digest. Whew! That was brilliant and just what I needed. Where were you when I was beginning to make sense of this book? 😜
How do you expect or not expect this book to guide and/or help you in your NPO research?
Hi Nancy, thank you for reading my post.
I am glad my post benefited you in a small way.
I will be using Kahneman’s book as one of the Key Voices in the upcoming paper. That leaders have choices to articulate their decisions.
Thanks Shela. I appreciate the list of biases you mention. I especially resonated with the final two of confirmation bias and implications. What role do you think a critical, but supportive community plays on these types of biases?
Hi Ryan, thank you for reading my post. Great question! Awareness and accountability come to mind amongst few others.
Awareness, I believe a community that encourages critical thinking can help members become more aware of their biases.
Create Accountability, I believe knowing that they will be held accountable by their community can motivate individuals to think more critically and avoid biases in their decision-making process.
Hi Shela! I appreciate you sharing your story and how you broke down the actualities of both systems in your life. I also love how you highlighted overconfidence. Can you share with me how this reading will guide you moving forward?
Hi Daren, thank you for reading my post.
Ah! The first thing popped to my mind is awareness and the second thing is the choices to make mindful decisions.
For example, System 2 thinking, which is slower and more analytical, is less prone to biases than System 1 thinking. I value thoughtful and believe reasoned discourse can encourage friends and family to engage their System 2 thinking more frequently, leading to better decision-making.
Hi Shela, I enjoyed reading about your journey to the United States and happy to hear you enjoy the Oregon climate!
I appreciated the list of implications caused by overconfidence. I have experienced all of those in one way or another! Especially, planning fallacy! I read in a couple responses that you identify with the heuristics decision-making process. When you recognize this in daily life, what practical things do you do to break away from that default thinking?
Thank you Elysee for reading my post.
Most of the time, I take a step back when I realize I am putting myself in an unrealistic situation (timeline). There were times people told me that too – I listen to them.