Cognitive versatility

Abstract

According to dual-process theories of cognition, human beings process information by means of two independent but interactive types of cognitive processes, namely: Type 1, which is rapid, non-conscious and automatic, and produces intuition; and Type 2, which is slower, conscious and controlled, and leads to analysis (Evans & Stanovich 2013). A key premise of dual-process theories is that Type 1 and Type 2 processes operate independently from and in parallel with each other, and may therefore co-occur at different levels. This has given rise to the notion of cognitive versatility, which refers to the extensive use of both intuition and analysis, together with the ability to switch between them as needed (Hodgkinson and Clarke 2007). This entry begins by outlining the evolution of research on human cognition and cognitive versatility, followed by an overview of the key features of intuition, analysis and cognitive versatility including the main contextual factors that are likely to shape their deployment. It concludes with suggestions on how these cognitive processes may lead to the discernment of possibilities and the estimation of probabilities.