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Post by jinghuang on May 2, 2016 8:23:40 GMT
In the article, "Inferences of Competence from Faces Predict Election Outcomes", experimenters show that people's voting preferences are largely determined by the physical appearances of candidates. The article also discusses two types of decision-making models, which distinguishes fast and effortless decisions from slow and deliberate decisions. When we judge a person's physical appearance, we are activating our "system 1" processes, which take very minimal time and is rather unreflective - it is more intuitive and requires less purposeful thought. The results of the study show that there is, in fact, a strong correlation between how competent a person physically looks and how many votes they receive. Even though additional information about candidates are available to the public, it is still most common that many individuals are more "shallow" than they believe they are, and that system 1 processes are more impactful on a subconscious level than we realize. Ultimately, people tend to vote for the candidates that physically look more competent. Similarly, we make fast and effortless decisions in many other instances. We judge people based on our first impressions of them, and physical appearances become the basis of our judgement. In a lot of social experiments that I have read about or watched videos about, differences in physical appearances generate a lot of different reactions from the general public. For example, people who are dressed in a more "trustworthy" fashion (suits and tie for example) tend to receive more help from the public in comparison to someone who is dressed in a "less proper" fashion. Here is the link to one of the social experiments: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGPjUyVtTQwSo here's what I would like you to think about: 1. What do you think are the main problems of using system 1 processes in decision-making? Especially if the decision is something of significant importance such as voting? 2. Are there any benefits of using system 1 processes? Maybe it helps during less significant/daily decisions? 3. Can you think of any instances where you made a decision based on someone's physical appearances? |
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Post by rebeccah on May 2, 2016 22:04:51 GMT
By using system 1 processes for important decisions, the best decision may be overlooked. For example, just because a candidate looks competent, does not mean that he/she is or that you agree the most with their platform. For important decisions like the future of the country, it is best to use system 2 processes so that we can choose a candidate that is truly representative of us. On the other hand, system 1 processes are not so bad for less important decisions, such as what to wear. The benefits to system 1 processes in decisions like these is that you can easily make fast decisions and won't waste too much time on unimportant aspects of life. This way you can devote more time and effort to using system 2 processes for more important things like voting.
I have definitely made decisions based on appearances, even though i know it's wrong. One decision I can think of right now is if I should give money to a homeless person or not. For example, if they seem more put together and likely to use it for something beneficial, I will give them some money. However, if I think they will use it to buy something harmful (drugs, alcohol, etc.), I will likely not give. Even though I know it is not my place to judge that, I still find myself doing it.
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rkipp
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Post by rkipp on May 3, 2016 3:35:23 GMT
A possible benefit of system 1 processes could be that it causes people to dress and act in a more professional way, which could possibly boost one's confidence and self-esteem as well. Also, if a person's ideas are truly good, and all that stands in their way is looks, then simply dressing up nicer could bring a lot of needed and beneficial attention to one's already good ideas. Making decisions based on looks is obviously a shame and as @rebeccah said, the best decisions may be overlooked, however, I personally do not see this concept going away. With all the attention on one's image nowadays - especially through social media and advanced beauty products - I personally think this is a situation where the quote "if you can't beat, join em'" comes into play. It's sad, but I think it's true.
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Post by cliffordzhang on May 3, 2016 5:12:51 GMT
Why do you think some schools require their students to all wear uniforms? Sure it's an elimination of the all important "freedom of expression" but it eliminates a lot of the unnecessary system 1 judgments that people automatically make. So instead of wasting time judging and ridiculing someone based on how they look, you can direct more of your mental faculties to getting to know someone better on a deeper level.
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paola
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Post by paola on May 3, 2016 8:56:06 GMT
The reason why such two systems exist is that, without them, us humans would physically not be able to process every single piece of information coming our way. Our brain subconsciously sorts information and places it either in system 1 (information that takes little time to process) or system 2 (information that requires deep reflection and analysis). As the study highlights, some of the decisions that are made under system 1 end up being some pretty important decisions and perhaps the most impactful (i.e. voting scenario). Unless there’s a way to train our system 1s to register information differently (i.e. slower and with more reflection), then, as rkipp mentioned, I don’t see this concept going away. Unfortunately, our poor (and good), quick judgments relay through our system 1s and, as a result, we subconsciously come to conclusions that lack careful reflection. This is a long-shot question, but do you guys think that, biologically speaking, something can be done to our system 1st to rid this issue? I also agree with cliffordzhang ’s comment. During my years in high school, I wore a uniform everyday. 1) It saves students a lot of time in the long run, and most importantly, 2) it eliminates judgement by any means. Everyone is wearing the same thing, giving students literally less to judge off from, and thereby decreasing our system 1 judgements. What else in society or institutions can be changed to eliminate system 1 judgements? |
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Post by nicolegreenbaum on May 3, 2016 21:37:51 GMT
In response to your question, paola , I do not think it is biologically possible to diminish our system 1 responses. According to this article by The Scientific American, people judge others on two main qualities–trustworthiness and competence–whether people intend to or not. When you meet a person, you immediately and typically unconsciously assess him or her for both warmth and competence. There was a study from Princeton University on the evaluation of face trustworthiness which demonstrated the amygdala response changed as a function of face trustworthiness. An area in the right amygdala showed a negative linear response—as the untrustworthiness of faces increased so did the amygdala response. Thus, we cannot avoid system 1 responses because they are biologically ingrained in us. |
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dalia
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Post by dalia on May 4, 2016 9:00:50 GMT
I think one of the main problems with using system one judgements is that its basically judging a book by its cover, like what the title of this post implied  but more importantly, the fact that its hard to eliminate because its mostly done unconsciously. To some extent, our society recognizes this and has adjusted to it, which is why we have the phrases like "walk the walk talk the talk", "dress how you want to be addressed", and "you've got to look the part" which all address the importance of one's physical appearance in a more professional setting. However, these are discrete, observable, and malleable features, i.e anyone can dress up in a certain way. The real problem is when these judgements are based on biological features we cannot change, like our face. For example, upturned eyebrows, soft smiles, and an upward curving mouth signify trustworthiness; wider faces competence. Making judgements based on such features can have negative effects because the exterior cannot reveal the interior. Somewhat who looks trustworthy or competent might be the exact opposite. One example I like to think of are geodes. If you saw one in soma random cave, you'd think its just an ugly rock. However, if you picked it up and smashed it on the ground, or somehow cut it open, you'd see the beautiful crystal-like colored texture. |
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Post by jinghuang on May 5, 2016 16:43:32 GMT
I think a good point brought up in this discussion is the idea that system 1 is an innate process and would be very difficult to alter. It is unfortunate that people allocate important decisions to system 1, even though they should not be based on a quick judgement like that. I think it all comes down to how much value or how much we care about the topic that ultimately influences our use of system 1 or system 2. Because there is a lack of emphasis and importance on voting and political decisions, people do not care enough to take the extra time necessary for system 2 processes and understand the subject on a deeper level to diminish the impacts of system 1 judgements. Essentially, I believe that the only way to solve this problem is to increase political awareness and educate people of this matter.
In addition, I think that a major reason to which this process is innate is that we evolutionarily used system 1 processes to make quick judgements on things that are threatening to our lives, and because of its importance in helping us survive, this trait was passed on because of natural selection. Because societal circumstances are different now, we use less of this system in terms of self-protection, but more to just create social judgements of one another.
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bdang
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Post by bdang on May 5, 2016 17:18:45 GMT
We are naturally judgmental beings, which explains the prevalence of system 1 processing. I would even say that we don't have much control over system 1, that it is more of our subconscious working. It is not necessarily a bad thing to come up with certain first impressions, as long as we do not allow them to cloud the truth, where system 2 should take over. System 1 may act as a precursor to system 2, it prepares us and gets us ready to learn due to exposure to new information. I think the most effective method to decision-making is taking into account both system 1 and system 2 processing in order to make a well-educated decision. We should be open to learn and take in new information instead of relying on what our biological instincts tell us.
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Oliver Micklewright
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Post by Oliver Micklewright on Jun 11, 2016 5:14:49 GMT
1. What do you think are the main problems of using system 1 processes in decision-making? Especially if the decision is something of significant importance such as voting?
This would mean that those people who are truly the most competent would never get the credit that they deserve. But I think this is a larger problem then the problem which we've been talking about. I think this problem is more deeply embedded into society and our culture. I think it is wrong, but I think people with competent appearances are quite often given better treatment than others - one thing I quite often think about is if, when we were children, what if we were told that being fat and unattractive (by modern societies interpretations) was the actual the idea of beauty. Do you think we would've adopted this idea or do you think that there is more important reasons for modern societies interpretations?
2. Are there any benefits of using system 1 processes? Maybe it helps during less significant/daily decisions?
There are definitely benefits to those who are more competent looking! However, in terms of society I think is is dangerous and insincere. I don't think that this should influence any decisions even insignificant daily decisions.
3. Can you think of any instances where you made a decision based on someone's physical appearances?
Definitely this decision is made everyday when people consider their sexual partners. I think that looks can also influence a person's choice in friends and possibly work employees. I also think that physical appearance can have negative effects if someone becomes jealous.
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but more importantly, the fact that its hard to eliminate because its mostly done unconsciously. To some extent, our society recognizes this and has adjusted to it, which is why we have the phrases like "walk the walk talk the talk", "dress how you want to be addressed", and "you've got to look the part" which all address the importance of one's physical appearance in a more professional setting. However, these are discrete, observable, and malleable features, i.e anyone can dress up in a certain way. The real problem is when these judgements are based on biological features we cannot change, like our face. For example, upturned eyebrows, soft smiles, and an upward curving mouth signify trustworthiness; wider faces competence. Making judgements based on such features can have negative effects because the exterior cannot reveal the interior. Somewhat who looks trustworthy or competent might be the exact opposite. One example I like to think of are geodes. If you saw one in soma random cave, you'd think its just an ugly rock. However, if you picked it up and smashed it on the ground, or somehow cut it open, you'd see the beautiful crystal-like colored texture.