Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

A groundbreaking exploration of the two systems that drive our thinking: the fast, intuitive System 1, and the slow, deliberate System 2.

Key Concepts

System 1 vs. System 2

• System 1: Fast, automatic, emotional, unconscious
• System 2: Slow, effortful, logical, conscious

Cognitive Biases

1. Anchoring Effect

   • How initial pieces of information influence subsequent judgments

2. Availability Heuristic

   • How easily examples come to mind influences our assessment of probability

3. Loss Aversion

   • Losses loom larger than gains

Applications in Software Engineering

• Code Reviews: Using System 2 to carefully evaluate code instead of relying on quick intuitions
• Architecture Decisions: Being aware of cognitive biases when making technical choices
• Team Discussions: Understanding how different thinking modes affect decision-making