Dual processing theory

The Dual-Processing Model (Tversky & Kahneman) suggests there are two distinct systems of thinking. System 1 is fast, instinctive, and relies on heuristics (mental shortcuts), while System 2 is slower, more deliberative, and logical. While System 1 is efficient for everyday tasks, its reliance on heuristics can produce the conjunction fallacy, where people incorrectly assume that specific conditions are more probable than a single general one. An example is the "Linda Problem". When participants are given a description of a woman that matches the stereotype of a feminist, they often use System 1 to conclude she is more likely to be a "feminist bank teller" than just a "bank teller," violating basic probability rules. This demonstrates how reliance on System 1 heuristics can produce systematic errors in judgment, illustrating the cognitive approach's focus on the fallibility of mental processing.