A book was written by Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize of Economics winner in 2002.
- This book introduces a fact that our brain is running with system 1 and system 2.
System 1 is also called the “automatic system”, which is controlled by our innate and automatic consciousness. System 2 is also called “effortful system”, which could be understood as the ability to actively control our common-sense – system 1. However, system 2 takes more working memory that is limited in our brain, so doing anything using system 2 would reduce your ability to think.
System 2 also monitor the suggestion of System 1, modifying and adjusting the direct conscious idea of System 1.
System 2 has limited capacity. Two aspects of effortful tasks are (1) difficulty of the question, and (2) thinking fast the get the results.
- Pupils are sensitive indicators of mental efforts.
Pupils dilate substantially when people make two digits multiplication, and they dilate more this problem is harder. People, when engaged in a mental sprint, may become effectively blind.
- Ego depletion refers to the idea that self-control or willpower draws upon a limited pool of mental resources that can be used up
System 2 has limits.
- Self-control requires efforts and attentions. Or says, controlling thoughts and behaviours is one of the tasks that system 2 performs.
Remember system 2 has limits.
Activities that impose high demands on system 2 require self-control, and the exertion of self-control is depleting and unpleasant. After exerting self-control in one task, you do not feel like making an effort in another, although you could do it if you really had to.
Maintenance of a coherent train of thought and the occasional engagement in effortful thinking also requires self-control.
- The nervous system consumes more glucose than most other parts of the body, and effortful mental activity appears to be especially expensive in the currency of glucose.